Dear Friends,

Having faced Hurricane Sandy and Hurricane Ida in recent years, our community knows just how difficult it is to recover from the catastrophic damage caused by intense storms. My thoughts are with the people of Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and of course Florida as they begin to assess the damage and rebuild their lives after these devastating storms. 

For those in our community still recovering from Hurricane Ida, I recently submitted comments to the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery on the Hurricane Ida Action Plan. I urged for the plan to be more comprehensive in support for those impacted, highlighting the following points: 

1. the need to help those whose losses, which included cars and property, were debilitating and not covered by insurance;
2. the need to include small businesses, the lifeblood of many of our communities; and 
3. the need to include co-op and condo owners who were equally impacted by Ida’s strength.  

Below, you will find information about legislation Assemblyman Steve Otis and I sponsored to address the increased likelihood of flooding caused by climate change, as well as important dates to keep in mind before Election Day – including the voter registration deadline on October 14, and recent state funding announcements for local projects. 

I would also like to highlight that I am currently inviting veterans who live or work in Senate District 37 to join my newly formed Veterans Advisory Council. The council will be chaired by Joshua Gaccione, a leader in the Westchester County Veterans Community and my 2022 New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame honoree. We will hold a kickoff meeting at the White Plains Public Library on Saturday, October 8 at 10 a.m. I encourage all veterans to join. RSVP is requested. 

As always, if there is anything my office can assist you with, please email me at smayer@nysenate.gov or call (914) 934-5250.

Warm regards,

Veterans Advisory Council Kickoff Meeting

We cannot ignore the increase in intense hurricanes battering our coastal communities. It is past time that we reevaluate the New York State Building Code and address the increased likelihood of flooding associated with climate change. Although there is a model code, few municipalities have adopted it. This bill strengthens the effort to have a more robust building code adopted across the state. 

The damage caused by Hurricane Ida prompted Assemblyman Otis and I to introduce legislation, S.7582B/A.9216B, that would ensure threats posed by sea level rise, flooding, storms, and certain other water-based hazards in coastal and flood-prone areas are accounted for by the building code council and in the state building code in two ways:

1. The Building Code Council will be required to investigate how the building code could be changed to better protect buildings from the threats of sea level rise, flooding, storms, and certain other water-based hazards; and
2. The building code must be updated to include new standards designed to protect life, property, and the surrounding communities from sea level rise, flooding, storms, and certain other water-based hazards.

The legislation passed both the Senate and the Assembly with overwhelming support. Help us to make this become a law by contacting Governor Kathy Hochul’s office and expressing your support for this bill.

Calling on the Public Service Commission

To Hold An Additional Public Hearing

On the Con Edison Rate Increase

Last week, as I have done repeatedly in the past, I called on the Public Service Commission (PSC) to fight for New Yorkers. Senator Michael Gianaris, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, myself and dozens of our colleagues in the state legislature sent a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul and the PSC to request an additional public hearing on Con Edison’s proposed rate increase before the deal is finalized. 

For thousands of my constituents, these increases are simply unacceptable and unaffordable, particularly for older residents living on Social Security and the thousands of our neighbors who face economic challenge. I will never be afraid to speak out against the PSC or the utilities and will continue to do so on your behalf. If you are in need of assistance, please contact my office.

New York State Senate Women of Distinction

On Women’s Equality Day, I was honored to present Community Resource Center Executive Director Jirandy Martinez with the 2022 New York State Senate Women of Distinction Award. She is a lifelong advocate for social justice and immigrant rights. In the wake of Hurricane Ida last September, which devastated Mamaroneck and destroyed the Community Resource Center’s building, Jirandy and her team assisted over 300 community members whose lives were upended by the storm. She is a tremendous force for good in our community and is extremely deserving of this award.

The New York State Senate Women of Distinction Award is given annually to one woman in each Senate District for her outstanding contributions to the community. A virtual ceremony recognizing all the 2022 honorees is available on the New York State Senate website.

State Funding Secured for Local Projects

I was thrilled to present $250,000 to Yonkers Superintendent Dr. Edwin Quezada and the Yonkers Public Schools community for the new Robert C. Dodson School playground with Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins on September 22. It was an especially exciting day for me because I attended junior high there in the 1960s!

I was proud to deliver $245,000 to the Village of Tuckahoe to remodel the bathrooms at the Tuckahoe Community Center and Tuckahoe Public Library – making them more eco-friendly – as well as the replacement of the tennis court at Main Street Park. I announced the completion of construction with Mayor Omayra Andino, Trustees Cara Kronen, Darryl Taylor and Nicole Engelbert, Community Center Director John Galluzzi, and Library Director Swadesh Pachnanda on August 24.

As sponsor of the 250th Commemoration Act, which allows New York to start planning for the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War, I was pleased to announce that Assemblymember Chris Burdick and I secured $175,000 for the Town of North Castle to preserve Mount Misery, a significant location for General George Washington during the Battle of White Plains in 1776. The use of our local geography allowed the Continental Army to escape north to safety and continue to fight for independence.

September in Senate District 37

Nothing like the first day of school! It was a pleasure to welcome students to Yonkers School 30 with Mayor Mike Spano and Superintendent Dr. Edwin Quezada.

I met the fantastic 2023 New York State Teacher of the Year – Billy Green, a Manhattan High School Chemistry Teacher – at the New York State Council of School Superintendents’ Fall Leadership Summit. He has overcome incredible adversity in his life and gone on to become an outstanding educator. Billy is truly deserving of this recognition.

The NYSUT Retirees of Westchester/Putnam held a beautiful luncheon in Rye and had me as their keynote speaker! As always, it was terrific to see Roni O’Connor, Joan Perrini and Florence McCue!

Thank you to the Eastchester Fire District for the exceptional work you do every day! Congratulations to the newly promoted officers and awardees who were honored in a ceremony on Sept. 27.

Congratulations to Frank Hernandez Jr. of Troop 5 Yonkers on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout!

Great meeting with Rye High School Senior Delia Bajuk. She is working with Save the Sound to track the water quality of a stretch of Blind Brook that runs through campus.

I joined the International Center for Ethno-Religious Mediation at their 7th Annual International Conference on Ethnic and Religious Conflict Resolution and Peacemaking for their keynote address. We had a very robust discussion about best approaches to addressing racial and ethnic conflict.

Register to Vote 

October 14 is the last day to postmark your voter registration application or to register to vote in-person at the Westchester County Board of Elections. For more info, visit citizenparticipation.westchestergov.com/register-to-vote. 

Absentee Ballots 

Requests for an absentee ballot for any reason must be received by October 24. To request an absentee ballot online, visit: absenteeballot.elections.ny.gov. Absentee ballots must be postmarked no later than November 8. You can also bring your absentee ballot to your early voting location during the early voting period, or deliver it in person to the Board of Elections.

Early Voting 

Early Voting takes place from October 29 to November 6. For early voting hours and polling locations, visit citizenparticipation.westchestergov.com/voting/early-voting-2022.

Election Day

On November 8, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. To find your polling place, visit citizenparticipation.westchestergov.com/find-polling-place. 

For more information, call the Westchester County Board of Elections at (914) 995-5700.