On Tuesday, January 24th, the State Senate and Assembly passed for the second time a proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the State Constitution. The amendment, S.108/A.1283, which I sponsored with Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, will extend current constitutional protections against discrimination to several new protected classes, as well as protecting access to contraception and abortion.

The New York State Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause already prohibits discrimination based on race, color, creed, and religion. The Equal Rights Amendment will add new anti-discrimination protections to the Constitution, including explicit guarantees for reproductive rights and marriage equality. The amendment adds new protected classes, specifically prohibiting discrimination on account of a person’s age, disability, ethnicity, national origin, or sex including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare choices. The Legislature first passed the measure in June 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Following last month's second passage, the amendment will now go to voters for ratification in the November 2024 general election.

Days after what would have been the 50th anniversary of Roe, we affirmed yet again that we will not allow New Yorkers to be pulled backward, we will not allow the progress we have made on reproductive freedom to be undone. Women have waited far too long to be included in our State Constitution, but so have LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, Latinos, and everyone who has faced discrimination based on characteristics that are beyond their control. The 1930s-era equal rights language in our State Constitution is long overdue for an update to ensure that equal rights are for everyone. I am proud that we will send this amendment to the people.

On January 19th, the Senate Committee on Finance, which I chair, as well as the committees on Environmental Conservation and Energy and Telecommunications, held a hearing to examine the legislative and budgetary actions necessary to implement the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and the Climate Action Council Final Scoping Plan.

Pursuant to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) passed in 2019, in December the New York State Climate Action Council released their Final Scoping Plan. The Scoping Plan serves as the framework for how the State will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net-zero emissions, increase renewable energy usage, and ensure climate justice, in line with the mandates of the CLCPA. The Plan affects all sectors of the State’s economy and society, and as such will have significant budgetary and legislative implications.

This is the year when the rubber meets the road on climate action in New York. We must act quickly, through the budget and through the regular legislative process, to begin to implement the recommendations of the Final Scoping Plan. Not only do we need to move quickly, but we also have to get it right, and that is why we reached out to all stakeholders in a process that will continue through the budget hearings. The climate emergency is here, and what we do in Albany this year will have a lasting impact on New Yorkers today and well into the future.

On January 18th, I testified before the New York City Council regarding the proliferation of unlicensed smoke shops and my ongoing work with legislative colleagues and the Governor to pass legislation to give the State Office of Cannabis Management and Department of Taxation and Finance the tools they need to put an end to illegal operations.

On Wednesday, February 1st, Governor Kathy Hochul released her FY 2024 Executive Budget proposal. Passing the budget is the most impactful action we take during any legislative session, as it touches the daily lives of everyone in our state. This year's Executive Budget includes significant proposals on housing, education, public safety, climate, and many more issues.

You can find all the information on the Executive Budget on the Governor's website, including video of her presentation and links to the actual budget legislation on the Division of Budget website.

This week the New York Daily News published an op-ed that I co-authored with two other state legislators from the Northeast, Representative Mary S. Keefe of Massachusetts and Representative Lois Galgay Reckitt of Maine. In the piece, we argue that a new model is needed to address the regional issue of sex trafficking. We support something called the Equality Model, also known as the Nordic Model, in which people in prostitution are no longer criminalized, while those who exploit them - sex buyers, pimps, and brothel owners - are held accountable for the harm they cause.

I believe it is the job of government to stand up for vulnerable and marginalized people against the systems of exploitation that seek to hurt and take advantage of them. That's why I support the Equality Model, and that's why I have re-introduced the Sex Trade Survivors Justice and Equality Act in Albany.

In November, the Mayor’s Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) announced their plan for a new program to expand the city’s 5G infrastructure, called “Link 5G”. This program is an extension of the existing LinkNYC kiosk program, though I have heard some concerns from several constituents that the new towers, which are 32 feet tall, are out of context with residential neighborhoods and historic districts.

In January, I signed on to a letter along with Council Member Keith Powers and other East Side elected officials to the Landmarks Preservation Commission, urging the Commission to consider whether there are not more appropriate sites or designs for implementing this technology.

Session II: “Stay Put for the Long Term:

The Senior Citizens Rent Increase Exemption Program"

Thursday, February 9th 10 am – 11:30 am

Senator Krueger’s 2023 five-part Senior Roundtable Series focuses on housing for older people. Access to safe affordable housing is critical to ensure that we are able to age well in the community. 

On Thursday, February 9th we will share information about the Senior Citizens Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) Program.  

If you--

• Live in a rent regulated apartment;
• Are at least 62 years of age;
• Have an annual income of $50,000 or less;
• Pay at least one third of your income on rent; and
• Want your current rent to remain the same for as long as you stay in your apartment? 

If the answer is yes to all of the above, and you do not already receive SCRIE, you should attend this virtual roundtable to learn more about accessing the program. SCRIE helps older adults be able to afford to stay in their homes.

If you already receive SCRIE and have questions, hear answers from the experts about the program.

The February 9th Roundtable will feature:

-- Kim Lerner, Director, Benefits Outreach Program, LiveOn NY

--Inie Park, Ombudsperson, Office of the Taxpayer Advocate, NYC Department of Finance

You will have the option of joining the event online through Zoom, a webinar hosting service. 

You will also have the option to view the event online through Facebook. Please note that you do not need a Facebook account or profile to view the event through Facebook.

If you do not have access to a computer, tablet, or other electronic device, you can listen in by telephone.

**If you register for an event, a confirmation email with the Zoom link and the call-in information will be sent at least a week in advance of the event.**

The event will feature a question and answer session with Kim Lerner and Inie Park. If you want information, or have questions about how to apply for SCRIE, who is eligible, and the program’s asset and income requirements, join us at the February 9^th Senior Roundtable. If you already are a SCRIE recipient but have questions about the program, you should attend as well.  Attendees will be able to submit questions through Zoom and Facebook during the event but are *strongly* encouraged to submit them in advance.

Please let us know if you plan to attend the Thursday, February 9th Virtual Senior Roundtable and RSVP to https://tinyurl.com/2-9-23-Senior-Roundtable.

Who is eligible?

• Residential customers who did not relieve Phase I relief with gas and electric arrears that accrued before May 1, 2022;
• Small commercial customers with gas and electric arrears that accrued before May 1, 2022;
• Some customers that were terminated for non-payment during 2022 are also eligible, although they should contact their utility to confirm eligibility.

Who is ineligible?

• Identified low-income customers that received relief under Phase I;
• Residential and small commercial customers with unpaid balances that accrued after May 1, 2022;
• Municipal electric or gas utility customers.

How much will customers receive?

• Credit amounts are capped by utility and service class, see chart for reference below; 
• Credits will equal the customer’s actual arrears up to the limit;
• If a customer owes more than the cap, they will still be responsible for whatever is leftover, including bills unpaid after May 1, 2022.

Am I protected from shutoffs while credits are rolled out?

• YES! During implementation (at least through March 1, 2023, or 30 days after credits have been applied, whichever is later), terminations of service for non-payment will not occur.

On January 20th, President Biden announced that the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) will end on May 11th of this year. Although the pandemic still exists, we have proven safety measures that help to manage community transmission of the Coronavirus, as well as life-saving vaccines and treatment. 

Many policies that have been established over the past three years to help fight the virus will expire once the PHE comes to an end. Some of these policies include free community testing, vaccinations, and treatment, as well as access to free rapid tests for use at home. In addition, Medicare beneficiaries and individuals with commercial insurance have been able to get a supply of 8 free rapid tests per month from their local pharmacies. At some point in the future, it will be necessary for individuals to pay out-of-pocket or use insurance to get vaccinated.

Please click on the following articles for additional details about the implications of the PHE ending. I encourage you to start preparing by stocking up on free at-home rapid tests and getting up to date with Coronavirus vaccinations.

• Sign up to receive SMS/MMS Text alerts from NY State of Health so you don't miss important health insurance updates, including when it's time to renew your coverage.

To subscribe, text START to 1-866-988-0327

Learn more:

• SMS/MMS Text Messaging Privacy Policy
• SMS/MMS Text Messaging Consent and Terms of Service
• Make sure your address and contact information is up to date. Make sure NY State of Health has your current mailing address, phone number and email address so they can contact you about your health insurance.  To update your information:
• Call NY State of Health at 1-855-355-5777 (TTY: 1-800-662-1220)
• Log into your account at nystateofhealth.ny.gov, or 
• Contact an enrollment assistor

The ICATT program provides access to no-cost COVID-19 testing in the community at participating ICATT sites to people with or without health insurance who are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. ICATT sites may offer PCR or antigen COVID-19 tests. Testing costs will be billed to your insurance provider, whether you have Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance. If you do not have health insurance, you will not have to pay for COVID-19 testing at ICATT sites. You can search for ICATT program testing sites here.