COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION
JOINT MEETING ON LEGISLATION/ENV. & HEALTH
MEMBERS: Stewart-Cousins, Chair, Bronz, Abinanti, Oros, Ryan and Rogowsky
ENV. & HEALTH: Kaplowitz, Pinto, Rogowsky, LaMotte, (other members see list)
BOL: Steve Bass, Ann Giordano, Mosiello, Swanson,
GUESTS: William Randolph (CEO), Liz Salvi (Law), Stacey Dolgin-Kmetz (Law), Law), Tom Gardiner (Law), Linda Trentacoste (Law), Andrew Neuman (CEO), Rosemary McLaughlin (LWV), Susan DiFabio (LWV), Jessica Labate (Amer. Cancer Soc.), Lillian Jones, (Amer Cancer Soc.), Liz Roden (Amer. Cancer Soc.), Katharine Archibald (Amer Cancer Soc.), David Martin (Amer Lung Assn.), Marshall Goldberg (Powr Against Tobacco), Margaret Hallet (Powr Against Tobacco), Joe Margogliese (Health Dept), Frank Guido (Health Dept.), Jacques Baron (Co. Chamber of Commerce), Josh Lipsman (WC Dept of Health),
Chairwoman, Andrea Stewart-Cousins called the Joint Legislation/Env. & Health meeting to order at 11:59 a.m.
The Chair opened the joint meeting with Env. & Health and invited Legislator Abinanti to talk about proposed amendments to the Smoke-free worksite Law. A discussion on definitions (see changes to draft smokefree worksite law) and explanations to ensure language and intent were the same ensued. Since the legislation under consideration was modeled, in part, after another county’s legislation, the Chair agreed to ask the law department to “Westchesterize” the bill and include the concepts raised at the committee meeting. In the meantime, it was agreed that we should check other counties to see what they are doing with regard to smoking legislation. In addition, the committee heard statistics related to smoking from the American Cancer Society.
Legislator Kaplowitz, Chair of the Env. & Health Committee accepted a motion by Legislators Pinto and Rogowsky to adjourn and meet in two weeks to discuss the smokefree worksite law.
The next item of discussion revisited the amendments on the new Predatory Lending Legislation proposed by Consumer Protection Director, Elaine Price. Ms. Price proposed that contractors provide information to consumers on their loans and affiliations. Legislators agreed and wished to further document transactions by allowing a tracking system of information to be put in place. A lengthy discussion was also held on the Consumer Bill of Rights, when it was applicable, and what it entailed.
Finally, the Chair asked the County Attorney to amend legislation to reflect changes discussed in committee. A motion was made by Legislator Abinanti seconded by Legislator Ryan to move out for public hearing with approved changes. All in favor: 6-0.
The final discussion was on the Living Wage legislation and advocate, David Schwartz, presented one possible scenario for dealing with the childcare workers could entail setting a separate living wage that would be lower by about $2. It would also have different kinds of stipulations.
The Chair suggested that the living wage legislation could be moved for public hearing with the understanding that all parties would continue talking and working towards consensus. A Friday deadline was agreed upon to make sure the legislation was hammered out prior to the notice of hearing publication.
The motion to move the legislation for public hearing came from Legislator Abinanti seconded by Board Chair Bronz. All in favor: 5-1 (Oros – nay). The committee will meet again next week on Tuesday, Oct. 15th at 1:30 p.m.
Motion to adjourn by Leg. Abinanti seconded by Leg. Rogowsky at 1:41 p.m.