COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION
MEMBERS: Stewart-Cousins, Chair, Abinanti, Rogowsky, Oros, and Latimer
BOL: Steve Bass, Ann Giordano
GUESTS: William Randolph (CEO), Keith Eddings (Journal News), Andrew Newman (CEO), (see list)
Chairwoman, Andrea Stewart-Cousins called the meeting to order at 12:29: pm.
Chair Stewart-Cousins opened the meeting by introducing AMBER -- America’s Missing Broadcast Emergency Response. This plan was named after a young girl named Amber who was kidnapped and murdered in Texas.
The AMBER alert creates a partnership between the police, community, and broadcasters. The partners must first agree, however, on what the criteria is for activating an AMBER alert.
David Hall, Police Chief of Harrison, Bill Rehm, Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety addressed the committee. Mr. Hall who is President of the Westchester Police Chiefs Association said he spoke for the Westchester Police Chiefs and feels that they would agree to have this type of legislation put in place. Mr. Rehm echoed Mr. Hall’s feelings on this. He said that using existing emergency systems help because as time passes, the chance of not being able to catch the person who has abducted the child increases.
After general discussion, Chair Stewart-Cousins asked the county attorney to draft authorizing legislation for Westchester to begin the AMBER alert system and, it was decided that, because of the need for inter-municipal cooperation, inter-municipal agreements should be drafted. The IMA would also help educate law enforcement about the new plan.
The County Attorney agrees to draft the legislation for next week.
The next topic introduced by Chair Stewart-Cousins was the Living Wage Legislation and a discussion of the public hearing. Legislation before us today reflected amendments as a result of the hearing and concerns raised.
The Chair invited David Schwartz of the Living Wage Coalition to discuss their activities following the hearing. Mr. Schwartz met with Lottie Harris of the Child Care Council to address concerns about the general low salaries in child care and the implications of raising the lowest wages. He suggested, as a result of their talk, that child care agencies would be brought into the program by covering those that serve more low and middle income families.
Questions were raised about the cost of child care, especially private vs. non-profit.
Chair Stewart-Cousins asked Katie Carrano, Budget Director and Andrew Newman of the County Executive’s office to address the committee. Katie said that cost associated at this time as requested by Oros, did not reflect the newest changes and additions. She advised that the county attorney should read the new proposals, tell us all of the county implications, and then we could better assess the costs.
Andrew Newman said that we have to look at how of if this impacts Medicaid, and concluded that the potential cost of living wage will differ depending on the local economy.
The Chair thanked all that spoke and urged the continued research by the County Attorney.
The meeting was adjourned by motions of Abinanti and Rogowsky at 2:10 pm.