COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION
MEMBERS: Stewart-Cousins, Chair, Bronz, Oros, Abinanti and Ryan
BOL: Steve Bass, Ann Giordano, David Simpson
GUESTS: Liz Salvi (Law), Bill Randolph (CEO), Karen Pasquale (CEO)
Chairwoman, Andrea Stewart-Cousins called the meeting to
order at
Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins opened the meeting by canvassing the members on the best meeting time and the quorum numbers to start meetings and vote. It was decided that 11:30 a.m. would be the start time and three members would be enough to start a meeting, with four being the number required to vote on issues.
Chair Bronz asked, and it was agreed, that members of the committee receive a copy of items referred to Legislation following the Board meetings to facilitate members having the item(s) before they come up for discussion at committee meetings.
In the continuing discussion of the Legislative Package, the program specialists presented a spreadsheet with an overview of items proposed for inclusion in the package. It was agreed that items should, ultimately, be organized by interest of county or state and their budgetary impact. Every item on the spreadsheet was looked over and discussed.
Bronz suggested we seek two lobbyists to help, short-term, with the Legislative Package. Chairwoman, Stewart-Cousins asked for volunteers to serve on a screening committee. Legs. Abinanti, Oros and Ryan volunteered.
COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION
MINUTES – FEBRUARY 4, 2002
PAGE 2
Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins suggested both caucuses discuss proposed legislative items to prepare for the continued committee discussion on the package in the upcoming weeks.
New questions arose over the impact of the legislative change to the PINS (Persons in Need of Supervision) program and the Chair requested someone from probation or DSS to come in and talk about the program. She also reiterated the request to speak with someone from the D.A.’s office regarding the constituent proposed “Cynthia’s Law.”
Karen Pasquale suggested that State Budget items be kept separate and agreed to meet with Program specialists Bass and Simpson to identify budgetary items included in the package.
The final discussion of the meeting centered around the meeting with the State Delegation and the question of whether the delegation would come to Westchester for a meeting. Karen will look into this.
Legislation Committee Meeting was adjourned at 1:22 p.m. on motions of Abinanti, seconded by Bronz.