COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION
MEMBERS: Stewart-Cousins, Chair, Oros and Ryan
BOL: Steve Bass, Ann Giordano, David Simpson,
GUESTS: Bill Randolph (CEO), Karen Pasquale (CEO), Ann Nelson (LWV), Roberta Wiernick (LWV), Liz Salvi (Law), Keith Eddings (The Journal News),
Chairwoman, Andrea Stewart-Cousins called the meeting to order at 10:53 am
Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins opened the meeting by restating that, as part of the creation of the Legislative Package, the committee outreaches to the greater Westchester community for input. To that end, she welcomed Ann Nelson and Roberta Wiernik representing the League of Women Voters. Ms. Nelson and Ms. Wiernik presented the League’s priorities for inclusion in the package. The suggestions included Election Reform, Property Tax Reassessment, Campaign Finance Reform, and Lobby Law Reform. We were told that according to the MIT voting technology reports, Four to Six million votes were lost in the 2000 election due to, among other things, difficulties using the equipment.
To answer a question regarding state-sponsored reforms, the league representatives agreed to check pending state legislation and get back to the committee with possible initiatives that warrant our support.
The league also discussed in more detail Campaign Finance Reform and the State Lobby Law. Another concern the league shared with the committee is the implications of a perpetually late state budget.
Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins thanked the league representatives for their input and promised to discuss the proposals with legislators to determine which items would be included in the final legislative package.
COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION
MINUTES – FEBRUARY 19, 2002
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Much discussion followed regarding different items on the Legislative Package list including the calling for a state-paid study to convert Indian Point from a nuclear powered facility to another alternative. It was agreed that both caucuses would continue to communicate regarding package items to reach consensus for package completion. The final vote on the package is due next Monday. Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins will communicate the new entries to the Democratic Caucus and Legislator Oros will do the same with the Republican Caucus.
Support for Cynthia’s Law was also discussed, with the consensus that the law, as proposed by the state, needed further clarification and refining. However, the committee unanimously supported the idea of pressing for harsher sentences for anyone found guilty of murder by child abuse. The committee unanimously agreed to endorse that concept under the heading of “Murder by Child Abuse” with the text referring to Cynthia Gibbs, a child slain by her baby sitter.
Prior to closing the meeting, the language of the budget memo was discussed.
On motion of Legislator Ryan seconded by Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins the meeting adjourned at 12:07 p.m.