D Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky

Podiatrists are well-trained professionals with extensive education and residency training. New York is losing 85 percent of its podiatry school graduates to other states where ankle replacements are permitted, and this bill modernizes prior legislation from 2012. The bill has been under discussion for over a decade.

Noted this is a repass of earlier legislation with new developments including support memos and an Attorney General opinion affirming the measure's legality. Voted in support on behalf of faculty and those contributing to SUNY and CUNY education systems.

Recalled Father Young delivering invocations in the Senate chamber and his wonderful work with young people, calling the tribute fitting and thanking the sponsor.

Noted that ground-lease co-ops in her Queens district are not wealthy buildings but middle-class residents struggling to keep co-ops alive. Cited prior legislation helping three co-ops with 99-year leases where shareholders could not sell units due to mortgage restrictions, and stated the bill is constitutional and necessary to protect community members.

The bill codifies prior legislation and is Phase 2 of a two-year phase-in to help struggling graduate students who are paid very little, with the goal of keeping them in New York State.