SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 2019

Dear Friend:

I am proud to represent you in the State Senate as the legislature completed another extraordinary week in which we passed bills that had stalled for years, despite widespread support throughout the state.
 
On the 46th anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, the legislature passed bills to protect women's reproductive healthcare rights. The Reproductive Health Act, the Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act, and the Boss Bill passed the State Senate and State Assembly on January 22nd. The Reproductive Health Act was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo on the same day.
 
On Wednesday, January 23rd, the legislature continued to deliver on promises made by passing my bill to decouple teacher and principal performance evaluations from standardized tests, bringing higher education within reach for thousands of New York high school graduates who call America home, and protecting local taxpayers by making the property tax cap permanent.
 
Read more about each of the bills passed this week in the section below.
 
As always, if we can help you with an issue, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at 914-934-5250 or smayer@nysenate.gov.
 
Warm regards,
 
Shelley B. Mayer
New York State Senator
37th District

In This Issue
CONTACT ME

37th STATE SENATE DISTRICT

District Office
222 Grace Church Street
Suite 300
Port Chester, NY 10573
914-934-5250
smayer@nysenate.gov
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The 37th State Senate District includes the Cities of Yonkers, White Plains, Rye and New Rochelle; the Towns of Bedford, Eastchester, Harrison, North Castle, Mamaroneck, and Rye; the Villages of Bronxville, Larchmont, Harrison, Mamaroneck, Port Chester, Rye Brook, and Tuckahoe; and the unincorporated places of Katonah, Bedford Hills, and Armonk.

DELIVERING ON LEGISLATIVE PROMISES
LEGISLATION PASSED DURING  THE  WEEK OF JANUARY 21st
 
Reproductive Health Act (RHA)
Modernizes New York's nearly 50-year-old statutes regarding abortion and moves the relevant provisions to the Public Health Law, instead of the Penal Law. ( S.240, Krueger). The bill was signed by the Governor the same day that it was passed.  

Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act
Requires health insurance companies to include coverage of all FDA-approved contraceptive options, as well as contraceptive counseling, and services (  S.659-A, Salazar).

Boss Bill
Ensures that employees or their dependents are able to make their own reproductive health care decisions without incurring adverse employment consequences ( S.660, Metzger).
 
APPR Bill
Amends the 2015 education law by eliminating the mandatory use of standardized state testing for evaluating teachers and principals. The bill returns evaluations to local control by requiring that the selection and use of assessments are to be collectively bargained ( S.1262, Mayer).
 
The DREAM Act
Allows New York high school graduates the ability to qualify for T.A.P. for higher education, creates a Dream Fund for college scholarship opportunities and removes barriers that prevent undocumented families from college saving programs. ( S.1250 , Sepulveda).
 
Permanent Tax Cap to Protect Taxpayers
Makes the property tax cap permanent. The property tax cap, passed in 2011 and extended for 4 years in 2015, limits potential increases in real property taxes. ( S.1904, Gaughran). Passed the State Senate only. 

NEWS & UPDATES

On Saturday, January 19th, I spoke at an Education Equity Rally in White Plains advocating for implementation of Foundation Aid funding for six suburban school districts that are not receiving their fair share of school aid. Two of the six districts are the Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District and the Ossining Union Free School District. As Chair of the Senate Education Committee, I am working with superintendents, school board members, and advocates throughout the state to hear their concerns and ensure greater equity for public schools in this year's state budget.


On Monday, January 21st, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I participated in the J-Teen Leadership MLK Day of Service in partnership with UJA-Federation of New York's Time for Good initiative, AJC Westchester/Fairfield, the AFYA Foundation, and Westchester County Youth Council to pack and sort supplies to be donated to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.


On Wednesday, January 23rd, I was pleased to attend the North Castle Town Board meeting and to give an update on the 2019 Legislative Session to the Town Board Members and attendees. 

Assemblymember Steve Otis; Mamaroneck Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert Shaps; Assistant Superintendent for Business Operations Sylvia Wallach; State Senator Shelley Mayer. 

On Thursday, January 24th, Assemblymember Steve Otis and I met with Mamaroneck Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert Shaps and Assistant Superintendent for Business Operations Sylvia Wallach to discuss the district's needs and how to best address the challenges facing the district. 


The Katonah Village Library will be offering free tax preparation assistance every Tuesday starting on February 5th and going through February 9th from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. The library will have a team of IRS-certified volunteers to help you file your taxes. Click here to review the necessary documents you should bring with you. The service is free for any person of any age, and no appointment is necessary. The Katonah Village Library is located at 26 Bedford Rd, Katonah, NY 10536.


The Preservation League of New York State, the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), and the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation have announced the availability of Preserve New York Grants available to qualified not-for-profit (501c3) groups and municipalities seeking funding for preservation planning projects. Grant applications are not available online but must first be discussed with Preservation League of New York staff by calling 518-462-5658 ext. 10. Click here for more information and upcoming dates for planned grant workshops throughout the state. 
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