I joined in the collective state of shock this week learning about the allegations regarding former Attorney General Schneiderman and his subsequent resignation. Given the increasingly negative news for New York coming from Washington, I realize the paramount importance of having a high-functioning and aggressive NYS Attorney general. I will carry out the required constitutional duty to either select a new Attorney General to fill out the remainder of Schneiderman’s term OR select the acting Attorney General Barbara Underwood to finish out the term while an election process is underway. Since we are only a few months away from an election, I think it best if we follow the interview process and select the current Acting AG to fill out this term for the next few months while allowing others to campaign for the office.

Run, Bike, Hike: Capital Region Trails Summit. Thank you to all who attended the packed Run, Bike, Hike: Capital Region Trails Summit this Thursday! We could not be more pleased at the interest in these issue and so appreciated full house at the event! We got through an ambitious agenda and I’m thankful to our panelists for expert giving us an inspirational view of our network of trails, the economic and job impact, and how new developments are connecting our communities more than ever before.

Press Conference on Jacobe’s Law. I joined my Senate Colleagues on Monday to call for the passage of Jacobe’s Law, a bill I carry which would require schools to notify parents if their child is being bullied at schools. The bill is named for Jacobe Taras, a young child who sadly took his own life after being the victim of bullying. I’m thankful for the advocacy of his remarkable parents, Richard and Christine, as I work with my colleagues in the Assembly to develop the proposal so that it can pass here in the Assembly.

Governor Announces New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations. Governor Cuomo announced on Wednesday a $4.2 million expansion plan to install more high-speed electric vehicle charging stations along the New York State Thruway. The plan will allow electric car owners to drive the length of the state without having to exit to recharge. The fast charging station expansion will enable more New Yorkers to take an active role in the Governor's goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 by driving zero-emission vehicles. I have been an avid supporter of expanding infrastructure and access to electric vehicles and appreciate the Governor’s move to make using them in New York even easier.

Assembly Passes Domestic Violence Legislation. Domestic violence does not discriminate, and although incidences are underreported, the statistics are startling. In the U.S., more than 10 million women and men are victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner every year. Abuse can take many forms, and the victim is often most in danger if they attempt to leave or after they escape. The Assembly passed legislation which I strongly support that will: allow victims of domestic violence to be released from a telephone, cable or broadband contract, as well as a shared or family wireless contract, without incurring cancellation fees; require hospitals to establish procedures regarding domestic violence and ongoing training programs for staff, and designates a hospital staff member to coordinate services for victims; allows non-physically injured victims of certain crimes to be reimbursed for shelter costs and crime scene cleanup.

New Infrastructure Investments Proposed. Governor Cuomo proposed an additional $125 billion investment in infrastructure over the next five years, committing to the next phase of his infrastructure program to build a new New York and create middle-class jobs. The proposal builds on the Governor's record $100 billion infrastructure initiative. The new investment will include state and federal funding and leverage additional private sector capital.

Community Updates & Events.

School Board Forum and Vote. The League of Women Voters of Albany County will be hosting a Candidate Forum for the four candidates vying for Albany City School Board on Monday, May 14 from 7:00-8:30 PM at Myers Middle School 100 Elbel Court in Albany. Elections will be held for the three open seats, and I encourage Albany voters to attend the forum and to vote!

Annual St. Sophia’s Greek Festival. St. Sophia’ Greek Orthodox Church in Albany will be hosting their annual Greek Festival next weekend on from May 18 –May 20. This fun event is an opportunity to engage in family-friendly Greek cultural events like traditional Greek dancing, food, as well as raffles and church tours. Tickets are $3, children 12 and under are free.

Tipped Wage Hearing. The Department of Labor is hosting an upcoming public hearing to address the possibility of ending minimum wage tip credits in New York State, also known as the subminimum wage. The Albany area hearing will take place on Friday, May 18 at 10:00 AM in Legislative Office Building, Hearing Room B. State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon will lead the hearing that will be focus on the scope of the problem, including the perceived hardships created by tipping, reasons for and ramifications of eliminating the subminimum wage in impacted tipped occupations, and recommendations for the potential implementation timeline and complicating factors. If you are interested in this topic or have thoughts you would like to share, I encourage you to participate in this hearing. You can pre-register here or call (518) 457-5519 with any questions or concerns. I have concerns about ending these tip credits and welcome hearing your thoughts on this matter.

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, or give us a call at (518) 455-4178.

Pat