September 2, 2024
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope everyone is enjoying their Labor Day Weekend! Best of luck to all the students, teachers, and staff heading back to school this week. May it be a year of learning, growth, and new opportunities.
And in honor of Labor Day weekend, let’s take a moment to recognize the hardworking men and women who are the backbone of our communities. Thank you to the workers who serve, protect, build, educate, heal and strengthen New York.
During the 2024 legislative session, I authored 41 bills which passed in both the Assembly and Senate. In the last two weeks, 3 more of these bills were signed into law by Governor Hochul! One of the new laws helps cancer survivors, another helps women on college campuses, and the third will help save consumers money on storm-related costs. Passing impactful legislation is one of the best ways I can help improve the lives of New Yorkers.
This will be my last newsletter until November as we gear up for the election. 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
Celebrating National Night Out in Tuckahoe
This week, it was wonderful to join members of the Eastchester, Tuckahoe, and Bronxville Police Departments and community members for National Night Out. What a great way to enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement and bring the community together in a positive way. Thank you to the Village of Tuckahoe and Mayor Omayra Andino for hosting this great event
Supporting the Hudson Ballet Theatre
I was pleased to be able to secure $3,000 from New York State for the Hudson Ballet Theatre (HBT) in New Rochelle as part of an Arts Alive ArtsWestchester grant. The grant goes towards HBT’s sensory-friendly Nutcracker performances – providing a viewing option to those with sensory sensitivities or other limitations which would otherwise prevent them from attending a traditional, in-person dance performance. Thank you, Hudson Ballet Theatre, for enriching our community by providing accessible, high-quality dance performances for Westchester residents!
Meeting Scarsdale Student and CVD Advocate Alina Yang
This week, I had the opportunity to meet with Scarsdale High School student Alina Yang. Alina has developed a passion for cardiovascular health research through her academic pursuits and her family history of heart disease. We discussed the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Westchester and the U.S. and lifestyle and genetic factors associated with a higher risk of CVD. Alina presented ideas on how to prevent CVD and advocated for potential legislative solutions related to education and prevention of CVD, access to more AEDs, and addressing cardiovascular healthcare disparities within minority populations. I am inspired by her passion and dedication to limiting the prevalence of CVD in our community.
Donating School Supplies to Calvary Baptist Church
It’s always terrific when I get to see my friends Rev. Trollinger and Belinda Lampley at Calvary Baptist Church in White Plains! This week I was happy to donate backpacks and school supplies to them to support their great work. I look forward to continuing to be their partner in the community.
Embracing Multiculturalism…and Joy!
This week I met with JCC Mid-Westchester leadership to support their efforts to enrich the community by providing cultural, social, educational, and recreational programs to all people regardless of age, background, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Thank you JCCMW for helping so many people in our community lead full and joyful lives!
Amy and Elise Dowell, JCCMW CEO
Supporting Hoff-Barthelson Music School
Thank you, Hoff-Barthelson Music School, for enriching our community by providing accessible, high-quality music education for Westchester residents.
I was happy to be able to secure $6,000 from New York State for the Hoff-Barthelson Music School (HBMS) as part of an Arts Alive ArtsWestchester grant. The grant goes towards HBMS’s partnership with the White Plains Youth Bureau, which provides year-round guitar and percussion classes to students in grades 5 to 12. This collaboration with the WPYB and HBMS enables both organizations to foster musical talent and local youth engagement.
New Greenacres Playground
I’m delighted to have secured funding from New York State for a new Greenacres Playground! This week I stopped by the park and met with Village of Scarsdale elected officials and staff to check in on the progress. It looks amazing!
Left to right: Village of Scarsdale Trustee Jeremy Gans, Scarsdale Parks Superintendent Brian Gray, Amy, Village of Scarsdale Assistant Manager Charles Hessler, Village of Scarsdale Mayor Justin Arest, Village of Scarsdale Trustee Dara Gruenberg, Scarsdale Schools Superintendent Drew Patrick
Enjoying Music and Community at New Rochelle’s Hudson Park
In New Rochelle’s Hudson Park this week, it was great to meet and speak with my New Rochelle constituents, listen to great music, and befriend some adorable four-legged attendees. Thank you to the New Rochelle Council of the Arts for hosting the Summer Sounds Concert Series!
Strengthening Ties with the German Consul of New York
As we bid “Auf Wiedersehen” this week to German Consul General David Gill, who is returning to Germany, we welcome the new German Consul General Till Knorn. Through positive international relations between NYS and the Consul, we promote our economies, address global issues, and advance human culture through cultural exchange. I have appreciated getting to know the Counsel General and look forward to continuing NY’s strong relationship with the German Consulate.
Outgoing German Consul General David Gill
Incoming German Consul General Till Korn
THREE BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW!
I’m excited to announce that two of my women’s health bills were signed into law on August 26th, coinciding perfectly with Women’s Equality Day. One law (Ch. 228 of 2024) helps breast cancer survivors by requiring certain insurers to provide coverage for tattooing performed by a physician as part of breast reconstruction surgery. Another law (Ch. 227 of 224) addresses period poverty by requiring public colleges and universities to provide free menstrual products in their restrooms. The idea for this law came from Scarsdale High School students Kate and Lizzie Sanchez!
The New York Utility Corporation Securitization Act (Ch. 224 of 2024), which I authored, has also been signed into law! This new law enables the use of securitization to recover storm and arrearage costs incurred by investor-owned utilities. Securitization is a mechanism to resolve legacy debt at no expense to the general fund and at lower interest rates and lower costs for utility customers.
This year, 41 of my bills passed in the Legislature, and await the signature of Governor Hochul to become law. Here are details about two.
Fighting for Hopeful Parents
This week, I spoke with David Lombardo from The Capitol Pressroom about my Embryo Storage bill, which seeks to guarantee the safe and effective operation of embryo storage facilities throughout New York State. Embryo storage facilities are an essential part of the in vitro fertilization process for many potential parents who otherwise would be unable to have children. Until now, New York State has not had regulations or standards for these facilities. Both houses of the Legislature have passed the bill, and the next step is for Governor Kathy Hochul to sign it into law.
Helping People with Drug-Induced Movement Disorders
Drug-induced movement disorders involve uncontrollable repetitive movements caused by dopamine-controlling antipsychotic medications used to treat mental health conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression.
Movement disorders can place a significant burden on someone’s daily life. These uncontrollable movements can affect the face, torso, or other parts of the body. Individuals with drug-induced movement disorders may have difficulty performing basic self-care tasks, participating in social activities, or maintaining employment.
My bill, which has successfully passed in the Legislature, will help increase awareness of and periodic screenings for movement disorders, which are fundamental to the proper identification, diagnosis, and timely treatment of drug-induced movement disorders. This will help health professionals, public safety officials, and the community better understand and improve treatments for those with these movement disorders.
Diverse Abilities Job Fair
The Westchester County Diverse Abilities Job Fair is taking place on Wednesday, October 9th, from 10am to 12:30pm at the Westchester County Center. The Fair provides people with disabilities access to dozens of employers and resource providers. Previous fairs have welcomed employers like Amazon, Goodwill, and New York-Presbyterian. Interested residents can sign up here to attend. Employers interested in recruiting at the fair can sign up to do so here.
SUNY Empire State Service Corps
SUNY students! Paid internship opportunities are now available through the Empire State Service Corps. Visit https://www.suny.edu/student-life/engagement/essc/ for more details.
Bus Stop Safety Reminders
As you get ready to send your children back to school, make sure to go over these bus stop safety reminders. More tips can be found at https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/school-bus-safety.
SmartCharge New York
Did you know you can earn money year-round just by charging your electric vehicle? Learn more by visiting https://scny.ev.energy/.
2025 Alexander Rutsch Award for Painting
Submissions are now being accepted for the Pelham Art Center’s 2025 Alexander Rutsch Award for Painting. This juried competition is open to U.S.-based artists age 19 and older. Visit this link for more information.
Spotted Lanternfly - How to Help
The Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive and highly damaging species. If you see one, kill it immediately by stepping on it or crushing it. Read more on the Spotted Lanternfly from the NYS Department of Agriculture here: https://agriculture.ny.gov/spottedlanternfly.
Even as the 2024 summer season comes to a close, there is still amazing produce at our local Farmer’s Markets. Please support our local farmer’s markets and farmers. In doing so, you’ll be nourishing yourself with the best the season has to offer, helping our environment, and connecting with your community!
Scarsdale Farmers Market
The Scarsdale Farmers Market is open on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Spencer Place at Chase Road and runs until November 24. Click here for more information.
Parking: On Sundays, parking is FREE in the Christie Place Garage, which can be entered from either Christie Place or East Parkway, and the Freightway Garage, which is accessible off of Garth Road. On-street parking is also FREE on Sundays.
White Plains Farmers Market
The White Plains Farmers Market is open on Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. on Court Street and runs until November 27. For more information and to see the list of vendors, click here.
Bronxville Farmers Market
The Bronxville Farmers Market is open on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Stone Place at Paxton Avenue, and runs through Thanksgiving. Free and metered parking are available. Click here for more information.
Pelham Farmers Market
The Pelham Farmers Market is on Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 5 Fifth Avenue and runs through Thanksgiving. Click here for more information
Meet Sundae! She's available for adoption at the Humane Society of Westchester.
Sundae was surrendered by her owner who could no longer care for her. When she arrived at HSW 3-year-old Sundae was severely underweight and needed many meals to start looking like her old self. She is now on the mend and ready to find a new home that will be committed to her well-being and happiness. Sundae is friendly, good with other dogs, and is a staff favorite!
If you'd like to set up an appointment to meet Sundae, please visit the Humane Society of Westchester website to complete an adoption application https://humanesocietyofwestchester.org/adopt-a-dog/. Once your application is submitted, please call the shelter at 914-632-2925 to meet Sundae!
