D Sen. April Baskin

Spoke in strong support of Desha's Law, honoring the memory of Desha Sanders who died of cardiac arrest at age 12 when an available AED could not be located due to lack of emergency response planning. Urged colleagues to pass the bill to prevent similar tragedies and save children's lives through mandatory cardiac emergency response plans in schools.

The bill establishes a centralized online registry for vacant commercial storefronts to combat blight and property depreciation. This tool will help small business owners identify abandoned properties and revitalize commercial corridors while benefiting property owners and consumers.

Baskin explained her personal connection to lead poisoning as a mother and sister of affected children, and as representative of Buffalo with disproportionately high rates of childhood lead poisoning in Black communities. She noted that as a county legislator in 2019 she introduced a resolution calling for this change, and is now proud to sponsor the bill as a State Senator.

The bill will provide critical support for grocery stores in underserved communities, addressing food deserts and improving neighborhood health. She argued the measure is distinct from existing programs and referenced the Tops Market shooting as evidence of the dangers facing communities without adequate retail access.

The bill will help small businesses understand new rules and regulations by publishing an annual compliance guide in plain language. This will enable small businesses to focus on growth rather than struggling to interpret complex laws, and supports her goal of expanding state procurement opportunities for small businesses.