S27

The New York State Senate passed S27, sponsored by Sen. Jackson, an act to amend the Education Law, on a roll call vote of 61-0. The bill, which carries Calendar Number 220, is set to take effect on July 1. No debate was recorded during floor consideration of the measure.

The New York State Senate passed a constitutional amendment on Tuesday that would allow the state to transfer property vacated by prison closures, addressing concerns about abandoned facilities blighting upstate communities. Senate Print 27, sponsored by Sen. Stec, proposes an amendment to Section 1 of Article 14 of the Constitution to streamline the process of transferring or selling state property no longer needed for correctional facilities. The resolution passed on a roll call vote, 59-0. Sen. Stec, whose large upstate district has been affected by multiple prison closures, said the amendment is necessary because properties left fallow without a state plan become community liabilities and cannot be sold to the private sector without constitutional authorization. The measure requires passage in two consecutive legislative sessions; Stec expressed hope the Assembly would approve it this year after the Senate's repeated support over his four years in office.

The New York State Senate adopted a concurrent resolution proposing a constitutional amendment on Tuesday. Senate Print 27, sponsored by Sen. Stec, would amend Section 1 of Article 14 of the Constitution. The measure passed on a roll call vote, 58-0. As a concurrent resolution proposing a constitutional amendment, the measure requires approval by both chambers of the Legislature and ratification by voters before taking effect. No debate preceded the vote.