August 19, 2024

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Fall is almost here! As the upcoming November election is top of mind for many, I want to share some important voter information. As our friends at the League of Women Voters say, “Democracy is not a spectator sport!”

Saturday, October 26: Voter registration deadline. Absentee and early mail ballot applications must be received at the County Board of Elections by this date if sent by mail or submitted online.

Monday, November 4: Deadline to request an absentee or early mail ballot in person at the County BOE.

Saturday, October 26 through Sunday, November 3: Early voting!

Tuesday, November 5: Election Day! Polls are open 6am to 9pm.

See elections.ny.gov and citizenparticipation.westchestergov.com for more information.

As discussed in my prior newsletter, I’m hard at work to ensure that the many bills I passed during the 2024 legislative session are signed into law. These bills include those requiring free menstrual products in the restrooms of public universities, preventing cyberattacks and misinformation through scam websites, increasing emergency preparedness, and strengthening surrogacy laws. One of the best ways I can serve you is by passing impactful legislation.

Please follow me on my Assembly Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts or visit my Assembly website to stay updated on my legislative happenings. If there is anything you have questions about, or that my office can assist you with, please email me at paulina@nyassembly.gov or call (914) 723-1115.

Sincerely,
Amy Paulin
NYS Assembly 88th District

Discover Greatness at ArtsWestchester

The African American Men of Westchester have put together a phenomenal exhibit at ArtsWestchester titled "Discover Greatness: An Illustrated History of the Negro Leagues." Go see it! It showcases an important part of baseball history. I was thrilled to be at the opening this week with AAMW members and was honored to meet former league player Pedro Sierra!

White Plains Library Director Brian Kenney Retires

Congratulations, White Plains Public Library Director Brian Kenney, on your retirement! Assemblyman Burdick and I were delighted to present him with a New York State Assembly citation for his 13 years of service. The Library has been lucky to have you, Brian!

Donation of School Supplies to United Way of Westchester

Thank you, United Way of Westchester and Putnam, for the great work you do for our community! I was happy to donate backpacks and notebooks to United Way's Back to School Supply Drive. I am looking forward to partnering with them in the future!

Supporting Arc Westchester's Developmental Disabilities Advocacy Work

This week, I met with Tibi Guzmán and Steven Masket from Arc Westchester to learn about the expansive work their organization is doing for people with developmental disabilities and how key legislation is critical to their efforts. They highlighted how New York State funding affects staffing and employment retention in non-profit agencies providing support for people with developmental disabilities. This will be a priority for me during the upcoming legislative session.

This year, 41 of my bills passed in the Legislature. Here are details about a few.

Helping College Students

Scarsdale High School students Kate and Lizzie Sanchez approached me with a bill idea to require all public universities to provide free menstrual products in their restrooms. I authored this legislation which has now passed in the Assembly and Senate! Kate, Lizzie and my office have written to Governor Hochul urging her to sign my bill into law, which would give every woman access to the products they need.

Preventing Scam Websites

My .gov" legislation is now in effect! It requires counties to maintain a .gov domain for their websites.

Prior to this law, there wasn't a way for the public to discern between a credible county website and a fraudulent website. Requiring all county websites to use a .gov domain is a simple and effective way to prevent the spread of misinformation. With this legislation, individuals will be able to distinguish between real county sites and fake ones.

Promoting Effective Health Crisis Response

Breaking barriers in healthcare transparency is crucial to combatting public health crises. I’m excited to share that achieving open data in public health emergencies is one step closer to happening in NYS. My HERDS bill has successfully passed in the legislature, paving the way for better-informed responses to public health emergencies.

This legislation establishes the Health Emergency Response Data System, requiring the NYS Department of Health to share crucial health emergency data with providers and the public within a week of collection. It’s an important step forward for our State’s emergency preparedness, ensuring that critical information is available when it matters most.

Strengthening Surrogacy Laws

I’m proud to have passed surrogacy legislation which makes key updates to the landmark law I passed in 2019 permitting compensated gestational surrogacy agreements. The current bill makes updates including regarding preconception care, medical expenses associated with pregnancy, and uncompensated surrogacy agreements.

The 2019 gestational surrogacy law that I passed removed obstacles impeding couples with infertility issues and same-sex couples from starting families. It also simultaneously enacted the strongest protections in the nation for surrogates. With the changes made as a result of this current bill, New York will continue to lead the nation with its model gestational surrogacy legislation.

• ECC: Paulin successfully advocates for Central Park Avenue repaving by NYS
• New York Times: Paulin fights for additional funding for Planned Parenthood
• Patch: Paulin and NYS legislators sponsor United Way school supplies drive
• Governor’s Office: Pelham Manor and New Rochelle receive NYS grants to update stormwater infrastructure
• Examiner News: Paulin constituents Kate Douglass (Pelham) and Claire Weinstein (White Plains) medal at the Paris Olympics
• Governor's Office: NYS supports Paulin’s priority to bolster healthcare workforce

Replace Peeling License Plates

If your NYS license plates are peeling, there’s no need to make a trip to the DMV! You can replace your peeling plates by mailing in a photo. For more information visit dmv.ny.gov/plates/peeling-and-damaged-license-plates.

Childcare Payment Help

Westchester County residents can get help paying for childcare! The County’s “Westchester Works” scholarship program offers parents who are working, looking for work, or studying, the ability to subsidize their childcare costs. Income limit thresholds are generous! For more information, email scholarships@cccwny.org or visit their Web site.

Eastchester Library Book Art Competition

Eastchester Public Library’s annual Book Art Competition is here! This year's theme is Hangable Wall Art. EPL will provide one free canvas and as many recycled books as needed. Registration forms, competition rules and canvas will be available beginning August 21st. For more information visit the Eastchester Library Web site.

Water Conservation Tips

Water conservation is an essential component of environmental protection. From cars to lawns to laundry, here are some actions each of us can take to help conserve this precious resource.

Meet Brody! He's available for adoption at the Humane Society of Westchester.

"My name is Brody, and I'm a friendly and curious two-year-old. I'm very athletic and enjoy running around and playing with toys. I'm a kissy dog, and love giving kisses to my favorite humans. I'd love to go to a home where I'll be given lots of love and affection, and where I can give that love right back."

If you are looking for a new best friend, look no further! Brody is up to date on all vaccinations and is neutered. Brody is also good with other dogs and children. Sadly, Brody found himself at the shelter after his owner passed away.

If you'd like to set up an appointment to meet Brody, please visit the Humane Society of Westchester website to complete an adoption application. Once your application is submitted please call the shelter at 914-632-2925 to meet Brody!