New York State SmartTranscripts:

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Everyone to please rise and recite the pledge of 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. In the absence of clergy, let us bow our heads in a moment of silent reflection or prayer. Reading of the journal. In

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: senate, Tuesday, 04/28/2026, the senate made pursuant to adjournment. Journal of Monday, 04/27/2026 is read and approved. I'll motion the 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.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Senator Cooney moves to discharge from the committee on transportation, assembly bill number ninety two fifty nine, substituted for the identical senate bill eighty six ninety one, third reading calendar two fifty three. Senator Sapulveda moved to discharge from the Committee on Social Services, Assembly Bill number twenty three thirty two b, substituted for the identical Senate Bill fifty eight zero seven a, third reading calendar seven ten. Senator Connery moves to discharge from the Committee on Judiciary, Assembly bill number forty eight seventy one, a substitute for the identical senate bill thirty seven seventy eight, third written calendar seven forty nine.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: So ordered. Messages from the governor, reports of standing committees, reports of select committees, communications and reports from state officers, motions and resolutions. Senator Generis.

[Senator Michael Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Good morning, madam president. Let's begin by taking up previously adopted resolution nineteen sixty four by senator Bino. Have that resolution's title read and call on senator Bino.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Secretary will read.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Resolution nineteen sixty four by senator Bino, memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2026 as Library Week in the state of New York.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Senator Bino on the resolution.

[Senator Siela A. Bynoe]: Good morning, madam chair. Library Week is as essential now as it was when it was founded. The compulsion for technology to interfere with Americans' reading habits is in a new conflict. In the mid nineteen fifties, research showed that Americans were spending less time on books and more on technology, like radios and televisions. Concerned over this issue led to the creation of National Library Week, first created and celebrated in 1958. The American Library Association gave it the theme, wake up and read, believing that once people were motivated to read, they would support and use libraries. The conflict between distractions of technology and the importance of reading continues today, requiring library professionals to be nimble and innovative to maintain the relevance of libraries' systems. Libraries have adjusted to changing needs for their communities by offering assistance to meet those needs, including access to broadband and social services. Despite the continued innovation and introduction of technology, the quest for literacy continues to guide the work of libraries today as it is the root of human potential. Libraries anchor communities, nourish communities, and give us the strength to grow beyond what we've personally seen. Libraries aware limitations turn into possibilities. For many children, life experiences may be defined by a small radius, perhaps just a couple miles from home. Their world may consist of school, places of worship, neighborhood streets, and the occasional visit to the library. But reading changes that reality. Reading expands that radius infinitely. Through books, a child can travel across continents, across centuries, and into ideas far in the distance. In 1924, I suspect the benefactors of the Westbury Memorial Library knew that as they invested in a space designed specifically to ensure that young scholars had the ability to have a place of their own, to have experiences that transcend both time and place, making it a historical institution. And yet, literacy has not always been equal throughout history. Communities have worked tirelessly, often quietly, and courageously to ensure that the root of literacy could take place. During times of segregation and exclusion, learning happened in secret rooms and church basements. In fact, the Lakeview Library community, also within the district, wasn't established until 1968, making it one of Long Island's last formed libraries. Its formation came to reality only after doctor Martin Luther King visited the community in 1965 in an effort to desegregate the school system and demanded the same amenities that were enjoyed by neighbors in communities nearby. While the traditional libraries of our childhood represent repositories of books, they have evolved into community hubs, technology centers with libraries of librarians often serving as technical as, experts. As we look ahead, we honor New York's legacy of persistence and innovation to ensure that the next chapter of our library system is as inclusive and accessible and maintain their visionary mission. In an attempt to meet the challenges of fast paced social and cultural changes affecting libraries and their patrons, British born scholar and librarian, Michael Gorman, articulated five laws that continue to set guardrails for libraries today. Libraries serve humanity. This law encompasses the assistance of individuals to have lofty ideals and high aspirations. We must respect all by which knowledge is communicated is the second law. This law encourages the utilitarian approach to use whatever is effective. The third law, we must use technology intellectually to enhance services. This law contends that technology must be used for its benefits rather than adopted for its own sake. Number four, we must we must protect free access to knowledge. This allows this law allows us to warn against records being disappeared from shelves in the form of censorship, stating a society without uncensored libraries is a society open to tyranny. A society easier to manipulate, mislead, or dominate. Libraries must continue to be the purveyors of truth. We must honor the past while creating the future. We must balance nostalgia for the pre digital past with the need to embrace new technologies. These principles remind us that libraries are not static institutions. They are living systems constantly evolving while remaining grounded in its purpose. Today, our responsibility is clear. If we want thriving communities, innovative thinkers, confident individuals, we must invest in our libraries. We must ensure that every person, regardless of background, has equitable access to literacy, to information, and to spaces that nurture growth. We must build systems that reflect cultural competency, inclusivity, and understanding so that every individual not only has access but feels that they belong. And above all, we must support intellectual freedoms of the patrons and the library's ability to maintain its place in our communities as purveyors of truth. Thank you, madam president. I will be voting affirmatively, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Thank you, senator Bino. Senator May on the resolution.

[Senator Rachel May]: Thank you, madam president. And I wanna thank the sponsor for this resolution. Libraries are so important, and they are some of the most beloved institutions in our society. Libraries truly are one of the last public spaces that we have in America when so much has been privatized. The libraries are places where everyone is welcome. And when where people can find not just books as as the sponsor was saying, but all kinds of other materials and support of unimaginable variety. If you're experiencing homelessness and you just need a comfortable chair to sit in for a while, you can come to a library. If you don't have a computer and a printer at home, you can print out a document that you might need. If you wanna learn about three d printing, you can go and learn that at a library. If you're an older person experiencing isolation, you can join a book club or a knitting club at your local library, and librarians are, remarkably adept at all of the huge range of, kinds of demands that they are presented with at any given time. Libraries are also under threat partly by the push to privatization in our society, but also by just the fact that the the business model of what they do of sharing information and sharing materials is, not something that the that the marketplace supports. So for example, e books and audio books are very, very popular in libraries, but the but the publishers charge huge, surcharges for libraries to get those materials, something that we are trying to address with some some legislation that I have. But we need to defend libraries because their public mission is something that serves all of our constituents. It serves our society in a way that very few institutions do. So I'm proud to support this resolution and to support our libraries. I vote aye.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Mayor. Senator Martin's on the resolution.

[Senator Jack M. Martins]: Thank you, madam president. I wanna thank the sponsor, for the resolution. I gotta tell you, fun fact, madam president. Before my time, in Mineola as mayor and before coming to the senate, I was on a library board at the Mineola library. Served as president for a number of years and got to see firsthand just how important libraries are in our state. If you wanna talk, and we often talk in this chamber about creating lifelong learners, it starts at the library, and frankly, it ends throughout people's lives. They will always connect to their local libraries. We saw during the pandemic, and we see during times of crisis, our libraries also become community centers, emergency centers, places where our communities come together. And if there's one thing we can do as we grind through the balance of this budget exercise that we're engaged in right now, take a moment because this is this is a great opportunity that the sponsor has brought us with regard to this this library resolution. Take a moment to see just how little in our state funding goes towards libraries and what a difference just an incremental increase in spending for libraries will have in each and every one of our communities. They are able to do a lot with very little. And it's more than just books, as we've heard before. It's access to materials. There are community centers gathering places for our communities. And so if we just give them a little more, not only for programming, but also for capital so that they can continue to expand their services as technology increases and as they have to adapt some older buildings to newer technologies, they're gonna need funding. And oftentimes, in the tug of war that is often our budget discussions locally, libraries don't always fare as well. And so if we take the opportunity during this budget cycle to prioritize libraries, perhaps give them a little more, that'll go a long way across the state, Upstate, Downstate, and certainly in our urban areas to make a difference in people's lives. Again, thank you to the sponsor for the resolution. I vote aye.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Thank you. Senator Clear on the resolution.

[Senator Cordell Cleare]: Thank you, madam president. I rise to thank, senator Baino for that very important, resolution today. And, I wasn't gonna say anything but I feel like I have to because I know the important role that libraries played in my life. As a kid, that was one of the safest place, one of the few places my mother said we could go and sometimes we had to go and wait for her to get home from work and she would meet us there. But it was definitely a place that opened up my eyes. We could not afford some of the books that, you know, I had access to and there's a lot of families even today who can't afford to put books in their home and the libraries do provide that. We do have to support our libraries and give them more funding. I'm very proud, of course, you know, to represent the Schaumburg Library for research and black culture in my community. So it is it is about employment opportunities for some people. It you know, it's about culture and history and being able to have access to that. I really thank you and I proudly vote I, on this resolution. I even remember one quick story that, you know, my mother was like, I'm not getting a newspaper subscription. You know, our school made us do current events and we couldn't afford, to do a newspaper subscription. So guess what? I went to the library. So thank you so much for bringing this up and again, I vote aye.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Thank you, senator Clears. Senator Helming on the resolution.

[Senator Pamela A. Helming]: Thank you, madam president. I am so excited today to rise and support this resolution, recognizing the vital role that our libraries play in all of our communities. My mother worked in a library for more than forty years, so library became like a second home to me, and it just opened up endless opportunities. As senator Clears said, for those of us who didn't have the financial means to pursue certain opportunities, libraries gave us that equality, if you were. You've heard many people say that our libraries are filled with much more than books, and that is so true. In my rural communities and my small town communities, they're really anchors for people. When I visit the library, I see students getting help doing their homework, getting tutoring, etcetera. I see job seekers there who wouldn't have access to a computer anywhere else or a printer, developing their workforce skills, and I see seniors staying connected. They're just great places. What's really exciting to see is how they continue to expand. We hear a lot of talk about affordability right now and how challenging it is for families and seniors. Well, guess what? Go to the library. You can pick up a fishing pole. You can go spend your day on the lake fishing and relaxing. You can get passes for area museums. There's just so many opportunities. And I wanna mention how important our libraries are to supporting our local economy, providing workforce development resources, support for our small businesses, and providing even spaces for innovation and collaboration to take place. And they do all of this while preserving our history and strengthening the fabric of our communities. So I want to just take a moment and thank our incredible librarians, their staff for the amazing work they do, and I am proud to vote yes on this resolution, and as Senator Martin said, proud to advocate that all of us in this chamber do everything we absolutely can do to increase funding for our school and our public libraries. Thank you, madam president.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Thank you, senator Helming. Senator Cantonary Fitzpatrick on the resolution.

[Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick]: Thank you, madam president. I too wanna compliment and thank the sponsor for bringing this resolution to the floor. So many times I talked to the directors of librarians, and they are not only the managers of books, but they manage facilities. And when there's a toilet that overflows or a roof that is leaking, it's their responsibility. So they become, really jacks of all trades to make sure the facility operates, staff is managed, and the interior of books and movies and such are managed. I I have very fond memories of when my kids were little, taking four of them to the library knowing that they could all rent their own movie for a dollar and I didn't have to go out and buy DVDs or the VJHS tapes, because the library had them all. So I've recently had a new respect because now my libraries have requested Narcan kits and I'm proud to work with Oasis to make sure that our libraries have Narcan. And it's a shame, but it's the reality that they are community centers. They need AEDs. They need Narcan. And I am very happy that they've reached out and asked for what they need. They do so much with so little. And it's important that as we're, you know, working on a budget that we remember our libraries and make sure that they have the financial resources to continue being the community centers that they've become, I proudly vote I thank you, madam president.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Thank you. Senator Cooney on the resolution.

[Senator Jeremy A. Cooney]: Thank you, madam president. Let me extend my sincere thanks to senator Baino for her sponsoring this resolution, but also for her leadership on libraries. Like many of you, we all had our commitments and our stories and our beginnings with libraries. But my work in public office and in in state service started at age 16 when I worked at the Douglas Branch Library as part of the Rochester Public Library System. And I wanna thank, all of the staff and librarians as part of the Monroe County Library System, which I proudly help represent. I one point I think was missed during our conversation so far on the floor. Libraries are serving populations from so many different backgrounds. And in this moment in time, in this country, it is important to recognize the role that libraries have with our youngest learners because we know that early literacy is the best indicator for high school graduation. And I wanna thank again senator Bino for recognizing that libraries are our public library systems, our school based library systems, innovative programs like Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. All of these collectively work together to provide literacy opportunities for our youngest learners. But it's not just our youngest learners that we wanna focus on. We also wanna focus on our adult learners. And part of that adult population are our new Americans. How many of us have libraries in our district which are leading the way to provide training and education programs to take that citizenship test, to become part of this great democracy and grow part of this great country. Libraries have been doing that work for years, and we recognize them and we thank them this week, and we will continue to do that work with them. Madam president, I vote aye.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Thank you. Senator Raulston on the resolution.

[Senator Robert G. Rolison]: Thank you, madam president and senator Baino. Thank you for, bringing this resolution forward. I heard, yeah, a term, that actually I I wanted to to speak on the libraries to begin with, thought about a fond memory, of a library for me. Now, of course, I really was not a great student, during my years of high school, and I didn't really go to the library. And then in 1974, I was doing a report, and I needed to go to the Adrian's Memorial Library in the city of Poughkeepsie, not far from where I live. So my mom had a 1969 Chevelle at that time. And I went to the library and did whatever I had to do and probably didn't do it that well. However, I was at the library. And on the way home, it started to snow. I slid off the road and hit a guardrail with my mom's car and put a dent in the right quarter panel, drove it home. And I told my mom, I said, mom, I I I put a dent in your car by the atrients actually, the Gibson Rail Cemetery. That guardrail is still there. And she said to me, she goes, you know, Robert, the car is gonna be okay. I am just really happy that you went to the library. And that was my mom. True and true, always supportive, thinking of the good things. And then fast forward so many years later, especially after becoming mayor of the city of Poughkeepsie and Adrian's Memorial Library there, and they had done additions on it over the years. And and we've heard it here in the chambers. All the things that the libraries do for others. It's not the library of 1974 for me. It's a library for the community of today. And then having the honor to get up here with all of you in 2023, Many of our mobile office hours for the senate office are in libraries throughout the district. So I've gotten to go to so many all these years later. And as we've heard, just all of the community activity, are hubs. They are safe places. They are places with everyone is welcome, and everyone can do the same thing there. And the services that they provide are invaluable. That can't be done by other community based organizations. So, I I wanted to just say to all of the libraries across the state, but especially the 39th District and to all the folks that work there, volunteer there, and and donate to our libraries, thank you.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Thank you, senator Raulerson. The resolution was previously adopted on April 28. Senator Generis.

[Senator Michael Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: And let's now move on to previously adopted resolution nineteen thirty one by senator Cooney. The plans previously adopted resolution seventeen eleven by senator Scarcella Spanton. Read that resolution's title and call on senator Scarcella Spanton.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: The secretary will read.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Resolution seventeen eleven by senator Scarcella Spanton, celebrating the courage and bravery of New York State's Korean War veterans and recognize the men and women who served with dignity and honor during the historic time period at this pardon me, at the senate's Korean War veteran celebration on 04/29/2026.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Senator Scarcella Spanton on the resolution.

[Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton]: Thank you, madam president. Today, we recognize and honor the service and sacrifice of Korean War veterans, often called the forgotten war veterans. This resolution ensures their contributions are formally acknowledged and remembered by this body and for future generations. Nearly 1,800,000 Americans served in the Korean War, including tens of thousands from right here in New York State. More than 36,000 American service members lost their lives and over ten thousand were wounded during that conflict. The legacy of Korean War veterans continues through their commitment to service, family, and community. As you may see today, over the last few years, unfortunately, the population of our Korean War veterans has very much dwindled, and I think it's getting increasingly more difficult to have them come here. But that's why it's more important now more than ever that we preserve their legacy and continue sharing their stories. I encourage everyone to visit the beautiful display on the 4th Floor. Thank you to Allie, wherever she is in this room somewhere, and her team, and making sure that, they showcase mementos and relics from the Korean War time and those who served in it. I especially am thinking of all my constituents who have served, especially Charles Navarino, who was our veteran hall of famer back in 2023. And I wanna make sure that this resolution serves as a reminder of their service and their sacrifice and that will never be forgotten. I'm honored to support this resolution and to express our enduring gratitude to our veterans service to our nation. Thank you, and I proudly vote aye.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Thank you. Senator Cantonary Fitzpatrick on the resolution.

[Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick]: Thank you, madam president. Thank you to the sponsor for bringing this resolution to the floor. It is referred to often as the forgotten war, and what we do here today is so important for those veterans. As a daughter of a Korean War veteran who served in The United States Coast Guard, we understood the global significance in our house about that war and more personally, the lasting impact on those who did not return home. I wanna say thank you to my dad, Joseph Kanzaneri, 92 years young. Thank you for your service to our country. I'm always so proud of him and what he has done and continues to do in, active service in our American Legion and making sure our younger veterans know that their service is important to the community. We must ensure that their stories are preserved for future generations. Thank you, madam president. I proudly vote aye.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Thank you. Senator Harkom on the resolution.

[Senator Peter Harckham]: Thank you, madam president. And I wanna thank senator Scarcella Spann for bringing this resolution for her leadership on the committee. I wanna thank our majority leader and you, madam president, for helping over the past few years to to honor the the memory and the service of our Korean War veteran who are here in New York, those that have survived. And as you mentioned, senator, the the numbers have dwindled. You know, my my father, I've mentioned on the floor, served, in combat in World War two, but was later called back for Korea as well. And and much of that generation is gone. And and it was an incredibly, I mean, all wars are challenging, but it was incredibly challenging. They were they were undersupplied, often in frigid conditions. And and you know, they just our troops just just accomplished so much in in a heroic fashion. And and the brutality of that war we cannot forget. You know, we often say we we we've got to remember the the past so, you know, history doesn't repeat itself. And so, I I join with colleagues in remembering the honor and the sacrifice and the service of of those veterans. And as was mentioned, it is so important to tell those stories, to keep the stories alive and put the human face on. So thank you for the resolution. I vote aye.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Thank you, senator Harkom. Senator Barrelo on the resolution.

[Senator George M. Borrello]: Thank you, madam president. Also, I rise to thank the sponsor for this, I want to recognize, memorialize one of my constituents, also a cousin of mine, Peter Carlo, who, passed away a few months ago at the age of 94, a Korean War veteran and a man so dedicated to his family and his community. He distributed over 300 American flags. If there was a building or a school or a place that didn't have an American flag, Peter Carlo made sure that they did. And every day on Memorial Day, he made sure that every single veteran's flag, in the in the Jamestown Cemetery had a, every veteran's grave had an American flag placed on it on Memorial Day to honor their service and sacrifice. He was a great American, wounded in combat, came back, became a successful business owner, and gave back to his community, the story of so many of our great, American veterans. And God bless Peter Carlo and his family, and God bless those that serve in our United States Armed Forces. Thank you.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Thank you. Senator Ashby on the resolution.

[Senator Jake Ashby]: Thank you, madam president. I too rise to thank madam chair for this resolution and to honor all those, who fought in the Korean War and their families, and the 2,300, New Yorkers who died in Korea, during that conflict. And in 1951, during this time, the Chinese were in fact trying to surround UN forces after a bitter bitter winter campaign as has been mentioned by previous speakers, ill equipped, and they continued to fight on. And just as they continue to fight on, we will continue to remember them. Even though they are not in this chamber with us today, their sacrifice, their intent, what they've done for this country will not be forgotten. I proudly vote aye.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Thank you, senator Ashby. Senator Meterra on the resolution.

[Senator Mario R. Mattera]: Thank you, madam, president. I just wanna say that this is a very proud day, especially, you know, for us to honor all all of our Korean War veterans. And I wanna thank the sponsor for bringing this forward here today. Somebody that's very, very special to me that's at the state home at Stony Brook, My uncle Louie Lou Maters, you know, is very proud. There he is. He's the like, the mayor over at the vet's home, which is a premier vet's home. Every vet's home should be just like Stony Brook because we have a director named Fred Skanger that is there. He makes it special for all of the veterans. And there it is. My uncle Louie at 93 years old, I think he's gonna be 94 this year, is, very proud to be there as a resident. And, you know, you sit there and you go to the memorial days, you go to the veterans days. And one one thing about this vet's home, you know, even the food is good. I gotta tell you, he actually doesn't even complain about that being an Italian. But this is very, very special for me today to to mention my uncle Louie, mention all the veterans that are at that state's home, but, it's a very, very proud, resolution. And I just wanna say, I vote aye. Thank you.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Thank you, senator. Senator Sanders on the resolution.

[Senator James Sanders Jr.]: Madam president, when we speak of the Korean War, we, are often speaking of some of the fiercest fighting that we we really don't speak of. The chosen rev, reservoir that had been spoken of earlier is one of the most, storied battles that the Marine Corps and others fought in. As a matter of fact, it's where the most decorated marine, Chessie Puller, received most of his decorations. He was in charge of the the exodus from that area. And when he got there, it was so out of control. It looked like we were going to lose, and he he stopped it from being a route and turned it into a retreat. His officers said to him, wait a minute. Wait a minute. Marines don't retreat. What are you doing? He said to them famously, we're not retreating. We're fighting in a different direction. And he led the battle out of there. This is why every Marine Corps base has a pit bull as our symbol, and the pit bull's name on every base is Chessie, after Chessie Puller, the most decorated marine. I absolutely vote aye.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Thank you. Senator Raulerson on the resolution.

[Senator Robert G. Rolison]: Thank you, madam president, and, thank you to the sponsor for, again, bringing this forward and giving us all the opportunity to remember and reflect, upon the sacrifices that were made, on behalf of our country, other countries, and and fighting for people that they didn't even know. And my dad served during the Korean War. My godfather, my dad's best friend, Bill Sherry, served during the Korean War. And I I know I've I've I've told this story before, but I always think it it bears repeating, especially today, is that they both served, and then they met each other at Providence College. They became roommates. And then they both graduated, from Providence. My dad went on to Fordham Law School, and then they both ended up settling in Poughkeepsie. We were neighbors. He became my godfather, Bill Sherry. And because my parents were only children, he was my uncle. And all of his children were my cousins, and they were the best of friends forever. And over the years, with all the time that I spent with the Sherry family and they spent with us, I didn't really know anything about the service that they both provided during the Korean War. And, again, I've said this before, I never even heard them talk about it, and they were together all the time. So when you think back on all of those individuals and individuals today who serve, who sacrificed so much and the families that have sacrificed even more in many respects, It is fitting and the honorable thing to do for us to pause and reflect on them. So again, thank you to the sponsor because today, with all the other things that we will do and the things that we think about and the things that we have to do in the future, I get to think about my dad and my uncle Bill. Thank you, madam chair. I'll probably

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: go down. Senator Raulston. Senator Chan on the resolution.

[Unidentified Senator referred to as 'Senator Chan']: Thank you, madam president. I wanna thank, senators Carcellus, Span for bringing forth this resolution. I wanna thank my fellow jawhead on the other side of the aisle for bringing, the attention to the frozen chosen is what we called it. The Chosen Umbrella. I was gonna speak about that. I personally first learned about the Korean War through a TV show in the eighties called MASH. And I'm sure many of us remember that show. It was very popular. Then when I graduated as the honor man of my platoon in basic training in the United States Marines, I heard stories from a gentleman by the name of General Stephen G. Olmstead, who was at the Frozen Chosen. And subsequently, when I hit the fleet, there were still Korean veterans laying around in the eighties, Korean War veterans. So I just wanted to let everybody know that every one of those veterans that I met from Korea are still ready to defend the nation with their lives, and I am forever grateful. And I am also ready to defend this nation with my life. I'm sure senator Sanders on the other side as well as our fellow veterans in the senate, all feel the same way. Thank you very much.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Thank you, senator Chan. The resolution was previously adopted on March 10. Senator Generis.

[Senator Michael Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: At this time, while we're waiting some additional guests, we're gonna take up the, reading of the calendar, please.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: The secretary will read.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Calendar number 253, assembly number 9259 by assembly member Magnarelli, enactment of vehicle and traffic laws.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Read the last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Section three, this action took effect one year after child become a law.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Call to roll.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Dabbled, GNR Skruger. Or Swercuttons Zellner.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Senator Cooney to explain his vote.

[Senator Jeremy A. Cooney]: Thank you, madam president. Seat belts prevent tragedies. Seat belts get passengers home safe. Seat belts save lives. Two years ago, together, working together, we spearhead legislation to require seat belts for passengers on charter buses. This legislation came in the wake of horrific crash on Long Island that left two adults fatally injured on a school trip. We knew that we needed to do more as a state to help keep passengers safe. We knew that we needed seat belts, which are shown to reduce fatalities by forty four percent and severe injuries by forty five percent on these buses. But since that legislation was passed, most passengers still aren't aware that it's required to put their seat belt on when on these charter buses. They are not aware of the risks. Last year, we saw another horrific crash, this time in Western New York, that left five passengers dead on their way home from a trip to Niagara Falls. Safety must continue to be a top priority, and that means doing a better job of spreading awareness of our safety laws. This legislation would mandate that bus drivers hold pre trip safety briefings with their passengers, telling them that buckling up is not a choice. It is the law in New York, and that they can pay fines for not following the law. Too many New York families haven't had a loved one return home on a charter bus trip, and we have to do something about this. It's a grief that no one should have to endure. So let's pass this bill, keeping our passengers safe in New York and protect all New Yorkers from harm on their travels throughout our state. Madam president, I vote aye.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Senator Cooney to be recorded in the affirmative and now to result.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Aye 58.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: The bill is passed.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Calendar number April, senate for 1982 a by senator Hartman Act to amend the to amend the German general municipal law.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Read the last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Section four. This action correct immediately.

[Floor staff (procedural prompts)]: Pull the roll.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Adabo, GNR's, Kruger, Ort, Sukad, and

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Zellner. Announce results.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: In relation to calendar four ninety eight, voted a negative, senator Brisport. Ayes, fifty seven days one.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: The bill is passed.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Calendar number six forty, senate print sixty four ninety four by senator Clear enact too many insurance law.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Read the last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Section four of this action to defend the 100 and of date shall become law.

[Floor staff (procedural prompts)]: Call the roll.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Dabo, Chernanz Cooper, or Sue Cousins Zellner.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Senator Clear to explain

[Senator Cordell Cleare]: your vote. Thank you, madam president. I rise in support of senate bill sixty four ninety four, which will require commercial insurance policies in New York to cover doula services as part of maternity care. Every birthing mother deserves equal support that begins with this bill. Doulas are trained professionals who provide physical, emotional, and informational support throughout the entire pregnancy process, even after birth. Services even a I'm sorry. Duelist services have statistically and scientifically proven to improve physical and psychological outcomes for both the mother and the baby. In other words, doulas provide essential services and essential services must be covered, particularly if we are to address issues of maternal mortality and morbidity in black and other communities of color. I encourage my colleagues to think about the mothers and families who are enduring a life changing experience with the current added on stress and financial burden that are brought on on to them when they realize their choice of a doula is disregarded from the perspective of insurance companies. Whether a mother chooses to give birth at a hospital or at home with a doula, insurance companies must treat all births the same and provide all mothers with equal support. They, their families, and the child deserve no less. I'll be voting, I, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Senator Cleary to be recorded in the affirmative, announce results.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: In relation to counter six forty, voting in negative, senator Walz, aye 57, aye is one.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: The bill is passed.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Counter number 710, assembly number 2332 b by a semi member Berger, enactment of social services law.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Read the last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Section two of this act took effect on the thirtieth date. Shall come along.

[Floor staff (procedural prompts)]: Volder Hall.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Adabo. Juvenile court reporter. Mister Cousins Zelman.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Senator Murray to explain his vote.

[Senator Dean Murray]: Thank you, madam president. I we have a problem in New York right now. We've been talking about this problem, And the problem is we are far behind in technology when it comes to these EBT cards. We're still using the magnetic strips that are being skimmed. And in the past three years, the most needy New Yorkers have lost nearly $40,000,000 in their benefits, mainly SNAP benefits. The last thing we need to do now right now is give the vendor another excuse to delay what has already been delayed. So while I don't say this is a good or bad bill, I think we need to hold off, get the chip technology situation under control, get that fixed, then maybe put something else on the agenda for these vendors. For that reason, I'll be voting no.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Senator Murray to be recorded in the negative. Announce results.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: In relation to calendar, seven ten voted in negative are senators Barrella, Kansas A. Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Grifle, Lanza, Matera, Murray, Amara, Ort, Rhodes, Todisco, Walzik, and White. Last 45, miss thirteen.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: The bill is passed.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Calendar number July, center print 9098 by senator May and that, chapter six eighty three of the laws of 2023.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Read the last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Section two of this action. Effect immediately.

[Floor staff (procedural prompts)]: Call the roll.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Dabo, J. N. R. Schuylkill, Hort, Sorkhuggins, zoner. Now

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: to result.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Regulation two, calendar seven thirty six, voting in a negative. Senator Martinez. Ayes 57, nays one.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Bill is passed.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Calendar number seven forty eight, senate press pardon me, thirty four thirteen by senator Jackson, enactment of civil practice law and rules.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Read the last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Section two, this act will defect immediately.

[Floor staff (procedural prompts)]: Call the roll.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Adopt. General auris Kruger, Ort, Sukad, and Zellner.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Announce the results.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Ayes, 58.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Bill is passed.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Calendar number 749, assembly number 48, 71 by assembly member Jalalam Nak to amend the judiciary law.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Read the last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Section two, this act will defect immediately.

[Floor staff (procedural prompts)]: Call the roll.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Adabo, GNR, Spruger, Ort, Sukhan, Zona.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Announce the results.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Ayes, 58.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Bill is passed.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Condo number 760, set up in 7053 by senator Webb, enact to amend the county law.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: The bill is laid aside for the day.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Calendar number July, senate print sixty seven forty five by senator Staviski, enact them in the education law.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Read the last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Section five, this action took effect on the January 1.

[Floor staff (procedural prompts)]: Call the roll.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Adabo, J. N. R. Sprueger, Ort, Sukun, Zahner.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Announce the results.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Ayes 58.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: The bill is passed.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Calendar number July, senate print two hundred by senator Martinez, an act to amend the to amend the navigation law.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Read the last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Section three, this action to correct immediately.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Call the roll.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Dabo, GNR, Scuka, or Sukut and Zelner.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Announce results.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: In relation to calendar seven seventy three voted in a negative, senator Walzik, aye 57 ace one.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: The bill is passed.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Calendar number seven seventy nine, senate press 69 52 b by senator Sanders, enactment of the highway law.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Read the last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Section three, the action will take effect immediately.

[Floor staff (procedural prompts)]: Call the roll.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Adabo, GNR, Skruger, or Swilcutt, and Zoner.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Announce results.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: In relation to calendar seven seventy nine, vote in the negative, senator Briskor. Aye, seven ayes, one.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: The bill is passed.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Calendar number 805, senate print 20 633 a by senator Gonzalez, enact to direct to direct the department of health to complete a report on the impact of hospital closures.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Read last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Section three, this expect immediately.

[Floor staff (procedural prompts)]: Call the roll.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Adabo, GNR, Suka, Zahner.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Announce results.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Aye, 58.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Bill is passed.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Calendar number 821, senate print ninety eight thirty five by senator Adabo, enactment of public service law.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Read the last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Section two of this act will be expected immediately.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Call the roll.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Dabo, GNR Skruger or Sukadan Zona.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Announce results.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Aye. 58.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: The bill is passed. Senator Genaris, that completes the reading of today's calendar.

[Senator Michael Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: And president, now let's return to, take up previously adopted resolution nineteen thirty one by senator Cooney. Read the resolution's title and call on senator Cooney, please.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: The secretary will read.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Resolution nineteen thirty one by senator Cooney, memorializing governor Kathy Hogul to proclaim April 2026 as Sikh Heritage Month in state of New York.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Senator Cooney on the resolution.

[Senator Jeremy A. Cooney]: Thank you, madam president. Sikhism is known for upholding the principles of equality, service, compassion, and justice. These are the principles that Sikh New Yorkers carry with them every single day. And it's these principles that have allowed for the Sikh community to create such a positive impact on our state. This community is growing stronger every single day with a dedication to charity and selfless service. Sikhs work to make sure every member of our community is cared for. Sikhs are also valued members of our growing AAPI population. With a fast growing population comes the need for greater representation. That's where leaders like judge Vic Vilcu in my district in Rochester come in. Judge Vilcu became the first member of the Sikh community elected to the bench in New York State. Designating April as Sikh Heritage Month is about celebrating milestones like these, reflecting on the vibrant culture, history, and traditions of this important community, and honoring the achievements of all Sikh New Yorkers. Madam president, today, we welcome a number of members of our Sikh community across New York State here in the gallery. And it's my honor to introduce this resolution and make sure that Sikh New Yorkers feel seen and heard in the New York State Senate. Madam president, I vote aye.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Senator Sanders on the resolution.

[Senator James Sanders Jr.]: Thank you, madam president. I want to commend, senator Cooney for this resolution. I I too have had the pleasure of getting to know the Sikh community. I've had Richmond Hill for a long period of time and and Sikh community has been fantastic and, really taken me under wing. One of the things I like most about the community is that they have a a I don't wanna call it a feeding program. I will call it a soup kitchen. A kitchen where everybody can come to and regardless of whatever your religion is, whatever your ethnicity, you can sit down and you can get a a wholesome meal, and be well fed. I found that to be an incredible addition to our community, especially in times, where people find themselves pressed and stressed and may not have the money that they need. There's always that kitchen that they can go to. So I'm very grateful for, again, senator Cooney and for the community as a whole, and I vote I on this also.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Thank you, senator Sanders. Senator Liu on the resolution.

[Senator John C. Liu]: Madam president, I am very proud to stand up in support of this resolution. I wanna thank senator Cooney. The sick American community is very vibrant in Queens as well as the rest of the state. They have contributed so much to the vitality of our state and the economy, the academia, the professionalism. They serve in all different kinds of professions as well as have different kinds of businesses. And I also wanna remind people that in the aftermath of September 11, the sick American no community was literally brutalized as much as the sick American community because of sheer misunderstanding and misidentification. So it's important that we remember what the Sikh community means to us and what they've been through and that at that and that we hold great value in them being our neighbors, friends, and partners. Was that chap lead? Madam president, thank you very much.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Thank you, senator Lu. Senator Guinardis on the resolution.

[Senator Andrew Gounardes]: Thank you, madam president. I wanna thank senator Cooney, for for this resolution. You know, when I was in law school, one of the projects I got to volunteer and do some pro bono work on was a case that was brought by the Sikh American community to challenge the military's ban on them serving because of their beards and their headgear, the turban. And it was we spent months working on that case. I had a chance to work alongside many accomplished lawyers from that community who, you know, impress upon me just the community's incredible dedication to serve, to serve others, to be part of the fabric of this country. And I left that experience with a deep appreciation and respect for the Sikh community's continual, dedication to this country, to being part of what this country means, regardless of where you come from or when you came here, there is a place for you here. And ever since that time, fifteen, sixteen years ago or so, I always think back fondly on that experience and really wanna commend the members of the community who are here today to join us. And again, senator Cooney for recognizing the incredible contributions that this community has to offer, not just to our state, but to the entire United States Of America. I vote aye.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Thank you. To our guests from the Sikh community, thank you for being here today. You are seen and heard. We ask you to rise to extend the cordialities of the house to you. Please rise and be recognized. The resolution was previously adopted on April 28. Senator

[Senator Michael Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: The sponsors of all today's resolutions would like to open them for co sponsorship.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: The resolutions are open for co sponsorship. Should you choose not to be a co sponsor, please notify the desk. Senator Generis.

[Senator Michael Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: At this time, we're going to pause very briefly and stand at ease while the minority has a very quick conference. And so, the senate will stand at ease until, 12:50.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: The senate will stand at ease until 12:50. The senate will come to order. Senator Generis.

[Senator Michael Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: The meeting of the committee on rules in Room 332.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: There'll be an immediate meeting of the rules committee in Room 332.

[Senator Michael Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: The senate stands at ease.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: The senate will stand at ease. The senate will return to order. Senator Gineris.

[Senator Michael Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Madam president, there's a report of the rules committee at the desk. Please take that up.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: The secretary will read.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Senator Stewart, cutting from the committee on rules, reports the following bills. Senate print 10,102 by senator Serrano, an act authorizing the sub pardon me, the South Country Central School District to finance certain deficits. Senate print 10,103 by senator Serrano, act making appropriations for the support of government. Those report, director third reading. To accept the report

[Senator Michael Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: of the rules committee.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: All those in favor of accepting the report of the rules committee, please signify by saying aye. Opposed, nay. The report of the rules committee is accepted. Senator Gineris.

[Senator Michael Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Please take out the supplemental calendar.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: The secretary will read.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Calendar number August, senate print 10/2002 by senator Serrano, an act authorizing the South Country Central School District to finance certain deficits.

[Senator Michael Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Message of necessity at the desk?

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: There is a message of necessity at the desk.

[Senator Michael Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Move to accept the message.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: All those in favor of accepting the message, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, nay. The message is accepted and the bill is before the house.

[Senator Robert G. Rolison]: So we do it now.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Read the last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Section three, this action will be expected immediately.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Call the roll.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Adabo, General Azkruger, Ort, Sue Zelman.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Senator Murray to explain his vote.

[Senator Dean Murray]: Thank you, madam president. I wanna thank all of my colleagues, but I I wanna start the list with thank you to, the senate majority leader, Andrea Sue Cousins, and her staff. I wanna thank the governor and their staff, our minority leader, Ort, and our staff here, as well as the assembly speaker and their staff and my assembly partner over there, assemblyman Joe DeStefano. I know folks are are some might say, you know, we're we're this is a bailout. It it's not. It's a rescue. I've never seen something this bad before in all my years in in elected office where this school district runs out of money next week. Literally runs out of money. Cannot pay to keep the lights on. Cannot pay the teacher salaries. Cannot pay for anything. Yes. Obviously, was mismanagement. We'll get to the bottom of that. But right now, we've gotta make sure these kids can finish out their school year, and that's what this will help to do. So I thank my colleagues. I thank everyone involved. This has been months we've been working on this, but, I'm glad we've reached this resolution and that we will be able to make sure that these kids get the education they deserve. So I proudly vote vote aye.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Senator Murray, to be recording the affirmative.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: In relation to calendar eight seventy seven, voting a negative. Senator Weber. Aye 57, aye one.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: The bill is passed.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Calendar number eight seventy eight, senate print 10/2003 by senator Serrano, an act making appropriations for support of government.

[Senator Michael Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Is there a message of necessity and appropriation at the desk?

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: There is a message of necessity at the desk.

[Senator Michael Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: I move to accept the message.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: All those in favor of accepting the message, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, nay. The message is accepted, and the bill is before the house. Senator Gionaris, that completes the reading of the supplemental calendar.

[Senator Michael Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Please go to the reading of the controversial supplemental calendar.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: The secretary will ring the bell. The secretary will read.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Calendar number August, senate front 10/2003 by senator Serrano. I'm not making appropriations for the support of government.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Senator Wyde, you rise.

[Senator Thomas F. O'Mara]: Yes, madam president. Will the sponsor yield for some questions?

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Senator Serrano, do you yield? Yes. Senator Yilde.

[Senator Thomas F. O'Mara]: Thank you, senator. Here we are on our eighth extender, now officially one month late, on this year's budget. Can you, give us a general outline of what's included in this extender and and how long is it extending government operations?

[Senator José M. Serrano]: Through you, madam president, you're correct, senator O'Meara. This is our eighth extender. It does, get us to $16,700,000,000, which includes 1,400,000,000 in new spending. It does take us to Monday, May 4. And this extender, as in the others that we've had before us, is generally how we will keep our government running short of having a final enacted budget. And some of the items that are covered in this budget include payroll costs, judiciary costs, general state charges, payments for Social Security, state education payments, Department of Health, WIC, CHIP payments, Department of Labor payments, Office of People with Developmental Disabilities, and so on. There are a number of of critical items that are covered in the bill before us.

[Senator Thomas F. O'Mara]: Thank you, senator. Madam president, will the senator continue to yield?

[Floor staff (procedural prompts)]: He continue to yield?

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Yes. Senator yields.

[Senator Thomas F. O'Mara]: Thank you. Senator, do we have, any table targets yet for the, joint budget conference committees to work on?

[Senator José M. Serrano]: Through you, madam president? No. We do not.

[Senator Thomas F. O'Mara]: Through you, madam president, the senator will continue to yield?

[Floor staff (procedural prompts)]: You continue to yield?

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Yes. Senator yields.

[Senator Thomas F. O'Mara]: Yep. Do you have an expectation of when we might have table targets for the budget committees to work on?

[Senator José M. Serrano]: Through you, madam president, you know, I I believe that we were certainly moving forward in the right direction. There are a number of issues within this budget that we are getting to conclusions hopefully, in short order. And I think at that time, we will start to see some of these numbers coming together. But at the present moment, we do not have that.

[Senator Thomas F. O'Mara]: Thank you, madam president. The senator will continue to yield.

[Floor staff (procedural prompts)]: You continue to yield?

[Senator Thomas F. O'Mara]: Yes. Senator yield. Senator, you know, without going through each of these, open policy issues that we're all pretty much aware of with the CLCPA, with tax increases, with auto insurance reform, secret reform, New York for all. How close can you tell us that we are to at least a conceptual agreement on all of these issues so that you can have something for us to report.

[Senator José M. Serrano]: Through you, madam president, you are correct. There are a number of outstanding issues. These issues are certainly things that have taken up a good amount of time in this budget. We are moving closer to resolution. I cannot give you a proper timetable, But it is important to note that the bill before us, does not contain any of those policy issues. This is just covering the issues that I outlined, but also ensuring that we can have a functioning state government at least until next Monday.

[Senator Thomas F. O'Mara]: Thank you, madam president. If the senator will continue to yield.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Yield? Yes. Senator yield.

[Senator Thomas F. O'Mara]: Agree, senator, that that we should be continuing to extend government operations while this budget is pending, you know, one month late, at this point, is concerning, with the lack of reported progress anyways. Do you anticipate we will have resolution on these outstanding issues by the end of next week?

[Senator José M. Serrano]: Through you, madam president, I cannot give you a definite time frame of when this budget will be done, but it is clear that the amount of time that this has taken is because this is a very complicated endeavor. A budget, like the one that we are putting together here, has to be in the best interest of all New Yorkers, accounting for things like economic development, our parks, arts and culture, education. And while deadlines are certainly important, I think it is equally, if not more important, that we have a good budget that reflects the priorities of the New Yorkers, of the constituents that I represent in the 29th Senate District and certainly across the state of New York.

[Senator Thomas F. O'Mara]: Thank you, senator. That's all I have, madam president. Thank you.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Thank you, senator O'Meara. Senator Serrano? Oh, sir. Senator Helming, why do you rise?

[Senator Pamela A. Helming]: Thank you, madam president. If the sponsor will answer a question

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Yes. Senator Yeild.

[Senator Pamela A. Helming]: Senator Serrano, I understand your response to Senator O'Meara that we're moving closer to a budget, but you can't provide anything more specific about when we'll see a final budget for review. But can you tell me, is there anything in this extender for the rural health transformation funding?

[Senator José M. Serrano]: Madam president, I did outline at the beginning of our discussion when I was answering senator Romero and some of the some of sort of the top line issues that are here, but this is what you would call a clean extender. To my knowledge, the the funding that you speak of is not included in this extender.

[Senator Pamela A. Helming]: Madam president, on the bill, please.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Senator Helming, on the bill.

[Senator Pamela A. Helming]: So that is correct, that there is nothing in this extender for the rural health transformation funding, and I am growing increasingly concerned as we get more and more, like, these vague answers about when we'll see a budget because that rural health transformation funding is critically important, especially in my district. I think many people here know that back in December, our state was awarded $212,000,000 by the federal government, and the money is sitting here. But my understanding is is that the funding's appropriate in the DOH budget under certain federal funds, and that budget needs to be passed for this funding to flow. Madam president, I'd offer this. These hospitals, our community health centers, our federally qualified health centers, and others, they worked very hard. They competed for this funding, and they won it through a a very rigorous federal process. They need the governor and the legislature to take this serious, to come to, an agreed upon budget because every week that we move further and further away from an agreed upon, we're risking this money. It's my understanding that there is a hard deadline of 09/30/2026 for this money to move. After that, CMS can redistribute the unspent funds to other states. We do not want that to happen. I also wanted to offer that every extender is bringing more uncertainty and real consequences for all New Yorkers. Sometimes in the responses that we get to these budget questions, it doesn't feel like there is an understanding that there are real consequences. You know, I hear legislators speak all the time about affordability and what they're doing to address affordability, but the longer this process goes on, the longer it's taking for us to take real action to provide relief to people. This late budget is putting pressure on local budgets and the decisions that impact taxpayers. Local governments and school districts are making decisions without knowing what support they can expect from the state of New York, And those decisions can lead to higher property taxes or cuts to services. Right now, this has been discussed. Our schools are preparing for budget votes on May 19. They are legally obligated by next week to publish their budgets, and they don't know their final state funding. That means they're either forced to guess, raise taxes to be safe, or risk cuts later on. Either way, our taxpayers and our students are gonna feel the impacts of that. And because of the late budget and the uncertainty it creates, I'm hearing from municipalities who are looking at either delaying or putting off entirely important infrastructure work, including, you know, repairing our roads, our bridges, or doing important flood mitigation work. The controller has warned in the past that delays in the budget and contracting process can slow payments to nonprofits and service providers and put real strain on the organizations that deliver critical services. And then you couple that with what I brought up about the rural health transformation funding just sitting there, not going out where it's desperately needed to make sure that our hospitals that are struggling can keep their doors open, can continue servicing people. So, madam president, I'm going to be voting yes on this extender because I think we need to absolutely keep government running, but I'm here to strongly suggest that there are real consequences with this late budget. We need the governor and the leaders of the legislature need to get their acts together and get something to us hopefully next week and no later. Thank you, madam president.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Thank you, senator Helming. Are there any other senators wishing to be heard? Seeing and hearing none, debate is closed. Senator Serrano.

[Senator José M. Serrano]: Madam president, upon consent, we've agreed to restore this bill to the noncontroversial calendar.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: The bill has been restored to the noncontroversial calendar. Read the last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Section 16. This action will be conducted immediately.

[Floor staff (procedural prompts)]: Call the roll.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Dabo, J and R Spruger, or Zulcousins Zelner.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: Announce the results.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Ayes 58.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: The bill is passed. Senator Serrano, that completes the reading of the noncontroversial calendar.

[Senator José M. Serrano]: Is there any further business at the desk?

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: There's no further business at the desk.

[Senator José M. Serrano]: I move to adjourn until Monday, May 4 at 11AM with the intervening days being legislative days.

[Acting President of the Senate (presiding officer)]: On motion, the senate stands adjourned till Monday, May 4 at 11AM with the intervening days being legislative days.