Legislative Update Indecent Exposure Penalties: Earlier this week, I sponsored new legislation with Assemblymember John McDonald and Joe Lentol to increase penalties and charges for those who commit acts of public lewdness in front of minors and repeat offenders. The legislation creates a new charge of Public Lewdness in the first degree, elevating what had been a Class B misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail) for adults who intentionally expose a private or intimate body part in the presence of a child under the age of 16, and to increase penalties on repeat offenders who have been convicted of Public Lewdness within the previous year. As a mother with a 14 year old daughter who often walks to school or takes the bus, recent indecent exposure incidents, one of which involved school children, hit very close to home. Elevating penalties to a Class A misdemeanor for instances of indecent exposure to a minor or for repeated offenders of indecent exposure, strengthens the power of a judge to get these offenders off the streets. Casino Gambling: Next month, voters across the state will get to decide whether to change the state constitution to allow for Atlantic City-style casino gaming. While I supported putting this referendum to the voters, casino gaming has a mixed track record of economic development, and I share the concerns raised about how the ballot question was rephrased in a biased way by the State Board of Elections to add, ''for the legislated purposes of promoting job growth, increasing aid to schools, and permitting local governments to lower property taxes through revenue generated.'' As the Times Union’s Fred LeBrun stated, using casinos as economic development is not a smart strategy for invigorating the upstate economy, where societal costs can outweigh the initial economic boosts. On the other hand, according to some reports, a strong argument can be made that state could retain over a billion dollars in economic activity and keep jobs in some of our most depressed regions. Events in and around the 109th District + Halloween is around the corner and the students at Albany Law School will host their third annual Trick or Treat Street on Oct. 31 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Albany Law School. The event is organized by the school’s Phi Alpha Delta international law fraternity chapter and will take place in the school’s gymnasium. More information can be found here. + Come learn about the basics of Medicare and EPIC, New York State's Senior Prescription Plan. What does Medicare cover? Do you need additional insurance? What is Medicare Part D? Presented by Janet Kiffney, HIICAP volunteer for Albany County and Candy Rivera-Whitehead, EPIC Outreach Representative on Oct. 16 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Bethlehem Town Hall. View more details here. + The Albany Art Room will be opening the doors to their new studio at 350 New Scotland Avenue in Albany on Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. I’ll be there to help celebrate their new space – check out their Facebook event here. Job Opportunities and Internships + The New York State Assembly's session internship program is a wonderful way for undergraduate students to get an inside look to how our state's legislature works. The deadline for applicants to the program is November 1, 2013. Details on applying and more about the program can be found here. As always, for the latest about my office’s happenings or for upcoming events, please visit my office online, on Facebook, and on Twitter. If you have any happenings or would like to reach my office, please feel free to send me a us a note Sincerely ---
Pat
Patricia A. Fahy
Member of Assembly
109th District