Yonkers Tribune

Governor Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Skelos, and Assembly Speaker Silver Announce Historic Agreement on Expansion of DNA Databank

New Law Expands Access to DNA Testing and Discovery for Defendants

ALBANY, NY -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver today announced an historic agreement that will make New York State the first “all crimes DNA” state in the nation, by requiring DNA samples be collected from anyone convicted of a felony or penal law misdemeanor. In addition, the bill also significantly expands defendants' access to DNA testing and comparison both before and after conviction in appropriate circumstances, as well as to discovery after conviction to demonstrate their innocence.

New York State Delegation Issues Joint Statement

Senators Klein, Stewart-Cousins; and Assemblymen Abinanti, Pretlow, and Spano

“The City’s proposal that was sent to us on June 2 to borrow money to pay operating expenses is not supported by the State Comptroller as it is fiscally unsound. The State Legislature cannot take up a plan that, since it lacks the Comptroller’s approval, will violate the law. The Council members need to get back to work and come up with a plan that the State Comptroller tells us is fiscally sound.”

Elected Officials Comment on Gov. Cuomo's Budget

Assemblyman Spano (left) suggests Governor Cuomo’s budget presents challenges, and opportunities for growth. Assemblyman Mike Spano said, “The governor has put fourth a budget that takes direct aim at realigning government and bringing spending under control. While there are many cuts outlined in his budget, I am pleased Governor Cuomo has maintained critical VLT impact aid for Yonkers, which directly affects our city school district. We face tough decisions in the coming weeks but I look forward to working with the governor and my colleagues in the Legislature to provide a final budget that gets our city and state back on track.”   

Breaking News: State Legislature Puts $36.3 Million Back In to Yonkers Public Schools’ Budget

Fulfills Promise Given by Yonkers State Delegation

Albany,  NY, 28 January 2011  -- The City of Yonkers' State Delegation announced the passage of S. 2026/ A. 2289 in the Senate and Assembly this week, which allows the Yonkers Public Schools access to $36.3 million in this fiscal year. The legislation extends several provisions of a budget bill that was vetoed by Governor David Paterson in July of 2010. The veto put $36.3 million out of reach for the Yonkers Public Schools, which threatened to eliminate pre-kindergarten, transportation and other school programs in the City of Yonkers. 

Budget Agreement Provides Critical Aid to Yonkers

 June 18, 2010, Albany, NY -- This year has been very difficult for the City of Yonkers and for the State of New York. In the wake of a multi-million dollar deficit crisis, Mayor Amicone has proposed layoffs and drastic cuts in services in order to close the City's budget gap. We have made a commitment to the residents of Yonkers that we would fight to try to avoid his doomsday scenario. Today we have reached a budget agreement that will make this a reality.

Protecting Tenants from Abusive Practices:

 Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins Announces Passage of Legislation 

June 6, 2010, Albany, NY -- State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D/WF – 35th District) announced June 3, 2010,  that the Senate unanimously approved legislation that will empower renters that have been cheated out of their deposits, by making it easier to take landlords to small claims court. The bill, (S4781A), allows tenants to be heard in court where their apartment is located rather than where the landlord’s business is registered.

Legislation to Provide Additional Education Aid for Pre-kindergarten Advances in Senate

May 21, 2010, Albany, NY --Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins today announced that legislation she introduced in the Senate, S7190, to provide additional aid to the Yonkers City School District, passed this week out of the Local Government Committee. The Yonkers City School District has a fully implemented Universal Pre-kindergarten Program in its schools that has served as a model for other districts and has had a significant positive impact on improving student performance in the region. This bill will provide $4.8 million in additional aid to the District in support of their commitment to serving the needs of its pre-kindergarten population.  In the Assembly, this legislation has been introduced by Assemblyman Mike Spano and has been referred to the Education Committee.

Local Legislators Conduct 'Sit-In' Outside Governor's Office - Update By Assemblywoman Paulin

 May 12, 2010, Albany, NY -- More than 20 legislators are staging a sit-in since approximately 4 pm today outside of Gov. Paterson's office to demand progress on budget negotiations. 

Joint Budget Hearing on Taxes

 This hearing will air live on the Assembly’s Website at http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/av/

Albany, NY -- The Assembly Ways and Means Committee will join the Senate Finance Committee to conduct a hearing to examine the impact of the 2010-11 Executive Budget proposal on taxes in New York State.

Statement from Speaker Sheldon Silver and Minority Leader Brian Kolb

Speaker Sheldon Silver (left); Minority leader Brian Kolb (right)

Albany, NY -- “On behalf of our respective conferences, we have agreed that the Assembly will act to repeal the requirement for New Yorkers to obtain new license plates after April 1, 2010.  The plan to issue new license plates for all vehicles will not go forward.  We understand that the Governor is committed to this repeal, and we will work with him.”

State Legislature Approves Legislation Sponsored by Sen. Stewart-Cousins and Assemblyman Spano

Albany, NY -- State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D/WF – 35th District) and Assemblyman Mike Spano (D/C/WF – Yonkers) announced today that legislation they sponsored together was overwhelmingly approved by the Senate and Assembly.  Senate bill 4392A/Assembly bill 5493A will resolve the ongoing parking problem for residents in East Yonkers by establishing a residential parking permit system near the Yonkers Raceway and Empire City at Yonkers
Raceway.

Senator Emeritus Goodman Proposes Bi-Partisan Commission to Resolve Senate Conflict

New York, NY -- Senator Emeritus Roy M. Goodman today proposed the creation of a bi-partisan commission to resolve the dispute about the structure of the New York State Senate, which observers believe will not be worked out by the contesting parties within the Senate.

Senator Stewart-Cousins and Assemblyman Spano Sponsor Red Light Camera Legislation

NYS Senate Passes Red-Light Safety Camera Legislation

Albany, NY  -- The New York State Senate passed legislation sponsored by State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-35th District) that allows for the installation of new red-light cameras in the City of Yonkers that will improve traffic safety, and catch those who speed through intersections placing the lives of other motorists at risk.

Yonkers Delegation: Final Budget Increases Aid to Education for Yonkers Schools

 Avoids Funding Cuts to Yonkers

Albany The Yonkers State Legislative delegation announced that the final state budget agreement avoids drastic cuts to the Yonkers Public Schools and the City of Yonkers which were originally proposed in the Executive budget.

Working together, Senators Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Jeff Klein along with Assemblymen Mike Spano, J. Gary Pretlow and Richard Brodsky were successful in seeing that theYonkers Public School District received an increase in funding of 5%. The Executive budget had proposed a cut of $9.4 million or 4.2% less. Yonkers schools will also receive an extra $3.65 million in unrestricted (bullet) school aid.

 

Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins Announces Passage of Election Reform Legislation in State Legislature

Senator Stewart-Cousins is pictured with Former Mayor Erin Malloy and disenfranchised voter Susan Brenner-Morton discussing Senate bill number 2810, which the Senator sponsored and passed in both houses of the legislature. The bill allows registered voters to validly sign their name in the same manner currently allowed on designating petitions. 

Albany, NY -- New York State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-35th District) announced today that the Senate approved legislation last week (S.2810) which she introduced to allow registered voters to validly sign their names on absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots in the same manner currently allowed on designating petitions.