Earlier this week, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan described the city's budget shortfall as a "crisis" to lawmakers during a joint legislative budget hearing. Albany faces a unique challenge as a city with about 60% of its properties being tax exempt, the bulk of these being owned by the State. She noted that the city faces a $12.5 million dollar budget gap, and has been deficit spending for almost a decade. The City of Albany receives the lowest per capita in Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM) payments of any major city in Upstate NY.

Mayor Sheehan requests $12.5 million in Capital City funding in order to ease the burden of services the city provides state government. As the seat of state government, Albany provides the state with emergency and 911 services, and a wide array of ancillary services including road maintenance, water and sewer services, street lighting and more.

Pension Forfeiture Reform. On Monday, both houses of the state legislature agreed to a referendum for a constitutional amendment to deny pension payouts to public officials convicted of crimes. Voters will be asked to approve this referendum, which is a positive move and is expected to receive broad support. Additionally, the legislature also approved a measure to require lawmakers to report outside income over $5,000 to the Legislative Ethics Commission.

Reproductive Rights Advocates Visit Capitol; Cuomo Proposes Constitutional Amendment. Last month, Governor Cuomo announced that he would require health insurers in New York to cover reproductive healthcare costs. Earlier this week, I was pleased to attend a rally featuring reproductive rights advocates from across the state, including Planned Parenthood CEO, Cecile Richards. At the rally, the Governor proposed that New York State codify Roe V Wade in the state constitution. This would ensure that regardless of what happens at the federal level on women's reproductive choices, those in New York will still have protections and options.

Urging Support for Indigent Legal Services on the Capitol Press Room. I spoke with the Capitol Press Room's Susan Arbetter Friday about re-passing the bill and funding the expansion of Indigent Legal Services. Go to the WCNY Web site to listen for more about lifting this unfunded mandate off our counties and providing quality access to legal services for all New Yorkers.

Assembly Takes Action on Trump Immigration Orders. The Assembly will act this week to help address problems resulting from the executive order issued by the Trump Administration that singles out certain immigrant communities in our state. The bill, which will be sponsored by Assemblymember Francisco Moya, would enact numerous protections for immigrants in New York, including preventing law enforcement from inquiring the immigration status of crime victims seeking police assistance.

JCC Vigil Condemns Bomb Threats. I was inspired and proud to join Capital Region interfaith leaders and hundreds of others in supporting the Sidney Albert Jewish Community Center after they received another bomb threat. I've sent my own children to the JCC, and we need to be loud and clear that hate will not be tolerated in our community.

Momentive Strikers Hold Press Conference. Striking workers from the Waterford Momentive plant held a press conference at the Capitol this week urging again for management to get back to the negotiating table. The members of IUE-CWA Local 81359 were joined by a bipartisan group of state legislators from across the Capital Region, including Senator Kathy Marchione, Senator Neil Breslin, Assemblymember John McDonald, Assemblymember Carrie Woerner, Assemblymember Phil Steck, and myself.

Open House Featuring Local Artists. Last week, our legislative office held our fifth annual open house! I was so pleased to see such a record turnout from all across the 109th District. This year, we are highlighting two terrific local artists, Nina Stanley and Ginnie Farrell! Please take time to drop by to check out more of Nina's and Ginnie's work!

Promoting Careers In Political Science and Public Policy at UAlbany. I welcomed the opportunity to speak with UAlbany undergraduate students interested in pursuing a career in public service this past week.

Community Updates:

Family Literacy Event. On Saturday, February 11th, WMHT will host a family Literacy Event at the Guilderland Public Library. Children Pre-K --1st Grade are welcome to attend with their guardian.

Job Opportunities: New York State has setup a new job portal entitled Jobs Express, where thousands of private and public sector jobs are listed. Visit jobs.ny.gov for more information on how to apply for these opportunities.

As always, for the latest news or for upcoming events, please visit my office online, on Facebook, on Twitter, or my Times Union blog. If you would like to reach my office, please feel free to send us a note.

Sincerely ---

Pat