D Sen. Shelley Mayer

Mayer voted aye, arguing the bill codifies disparate impact analysis to protect New York's tradition of robust workplace antidiscrimination protections against the Trump administration's efforts to eliminate such analysis at the federal level.

Voted in favor after internal debate, arguing that New Yorkers with terminal illness suffering immensely deserve the opportunity to choose to die on their own terms with dignity under the bill's safeguards.

The bill addresses prolonged rate case delays and retroactive make-whole provisions that result in rate compression and unexpectedly higher consumer bills. Extending the statutory timeframe by three months will give parties more time to reach negotiated settlements.

Since the Dobbs decision, extreme states have curtailed abortion access and targeted LGBTQ Americans. The bill shores up protections not only for providers but for individuals and organizations assisting those seeking legally protected healthcare, reaffirming New York's commitment to protecting women and trans Americans.

A long-time advocate for this legislation, Mayer noted that recent storms including Sandy, Isaias, and Ida killed people and exposed the state's lack of preparedness and inter-agency coordination. She stated the Office of Resiliency is overdue and will bring New York in line with better-prepared states.

Highlighted education investments including BOCES salary cap increase from $30,000 to $60,000 over three years, career and technical education funding, English language learner weighting increase, and electric school bus implementation flexibility with extensions and funding support.

Explained her vote in favor, clarifying that Part RR applies only to parens patriae actions where the Attorney General acts on behalf of the people, not on behalf of agencies. Distinguished this from enforcement actions on behalf of individual agencies.

Explained that the bill provides $12.1 billion in appropriation authority with $2.4 billion for school aid, representing a $2.5 billion increase over the prior extender. Indicated parties are talking and moving in the right direction on budget policy issues.

The bill affirms New York's commitment to learning about the shameful internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII and honors Fred Korematsu's contributions to civil rights advocacy. Given rising anti-Asian hate, the state must acknowledge this painful history and recommit to protecting constitutional rights for all.

Emphasized the bill's provision for paid leave following stillbirth, noting that 3,000 New York families experience stillbirth annually and advocated for addressing the stigma and lack of state support these families face.

She stated constituents cannot understand their utility bills and are outraged upon learning costs. She argued the bill is an important step to ensure constituents understand who they pay, how much, and the basis for charges.

Mayer argued the bill addresses exorbitant Con Ed delivery charges by changing the PSC rate-setting methodology. She cited constituent complaints about unsustainable rates and called for the preferred rate approach with a rebuttable presumption, allowing utilities a return but not at constituents' expense.

Mayer voted aye and urged colleagues to support the bill, arguing it strengthens protections for New York providers prescribing medication abortion via telehealth. She emphasized that providers face significant personal risk and that the legislation allows them to use practice names instead of personal names on drug labels to shield their identities.