COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION
MEMBERS: Stewart-Cousins, Chair, Abinanti, Bronz, Ryan, Latimer, Maisano and Oros
BOL: Steve Bass, Ann Giordano
GUESTS: Steve Frey (AFL-CIO-CLC), David Schwartz (Working Families), Joel Levre (Local 812 IBT), Harold Lasso (Hispanic Resource Ctr.), David S. Udell Brennan Ctr.), Paul K. Sonn, (Brennan Ctr.), Christine Camisa (Catholic Charities), Evan Bonine (Working Families Party), Rosemary McLaughlin (LWV), Darryl Gibbs (Cynthia Gibbs Foundation), Carol Holman, S. Gerry (Law), Leslie Bennett (Budget), Stacey Dolgin-Kmetz (Law), Liz Salvi (Law), William Randolph (CEO), J. Scott Sommavilla (W.C. F.O.A.), Esmirna Torres (Academy of Finance), Caroline Seaford (Academy of Finance)
Chairwoman, Andrea Stewart-Cousins called the meeting to order at 11:45 am.
Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins opened the meeting by welcoming Mr. Darryl Gibbs and Carol Holman and explained their presence at the meeting today. The two hoped for county support of a resolution to proclaim April 21 – 27 “Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week”. Mr. Gibbs’ child was killed by shaken impact. He explained that 2-8 children die every day from shaking.
Maisano made a motion to accept the resolution, which was seconded by Oros.
All in favor: 6-0
The second item of discussion was Cemetery Application Procedures. This legislation would set forth the procedures for
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approval for an application for the creation or expansion of cemeteries within Westchester County. Currently the existing resolution requires the Clerk of the Board to advertise the application at the board’s expense. This legislation would allow the Clerk to set the appropriate fee and pass it on to the owner of the land. Secondly, this legislation would codify the Resolution into a Local Law.
Maisano, seconded by Abinanti moved the legislation for all purposes. All in favor: 5-0 (Oros and Ryan out for vote)
Living Wage legislation was the next item discussed. David Udell of the Brennan Center spoke about the legislation and how the $11.50 figure came about. The proposed legislation is not designed to cover small companies or agencies with few employees, nor does it cover employees for summer employment. It is designed to cover working both full and part-time workers. The bill calls for workers to be paid $11.50 an hour with health benefits or $13 per hour if health benefits are not provided. Udell further explained the living wage formula is real data reflecting what it costs in Westchester to pay for housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, clothing and taxes based on the “New York State Self-Sufficiency Standard Study” done two years ago.
The next speaker was Paul Sonn of NY University Law School’s Brennan Institute who helped draft the legislation.
Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins thanked the presenters. The committee agreed to explore the topic with the Budget Department and look closely at similar legislation pending in New York City.
Legislator Latimer asked that our committee consider going to Suffolk County to meet the legislators who drafted similar legislation. He also offered to set up the meeting. The committee also agreed to talk with the business community before the meeting with the legislators in Suffolk County.
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Our next topic was presented by Scott Sommavilla who discussed the Home Rule Resolution to allow someone to train with real firearms at the appropriate locations to adequately prepare them for safe use of firearms upon licensing.
Abinanti made a motion to move out the resolution for all purposes, seconded by Maisano. All in favor: 6-0. (Latimer out for vote)
Other item was Home Rule Request Resolution for Paul Weather to get service credits for his service as a Public Safety Officer for the Department of Public Safety. Maisano made a motion, Latimer seconded it all in favor: 7-0
The last item is the draft of committee blueprint. The committee agreed that it was a good blueprint. It was moved by Jim Maisano and seconded by Latimer.
Latimer moved to receive and file item #16 (Human Rights Commission) on the agenda and should be attached as a back up to item #25.
Oros made a motion on Latimer’s proposal to receive and file 16 and back up # 25, Abinanti seconded it.
Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins accepted a motion to adjourn the meeting from James Maisano and Abinanti seconded it. Meeting was adjourned at 12:53 pm