Legislative work continues despite the lack of a state budget

A few weeks ago, I anticipated this April column would be an update on the recently passed state budget – what was in, what was out, what did our school districts get, and did we approve a budget that delivered for the overburdened taxpayers who must fund it. Unfortunately, the budget is three weeks overdue with no agreement imminent as the governor and the majority in the legislature fail to find common ground. Despite these delays, there is still progress to report on the legislative front. Let me share a few examples of bills that are moving forward that I think will positively impact the lives of residents in our district and across Western New York. Early in the legislative session I co-sponsored assembly bill A2535 which would allow county governments the option to provide disability coverage for probation officers. Most police and peace officers in New York state receive disability coverage equal to their full salary if they are injured in the performance of their duties. This is not the case however for county probation officers, even though the functions they perform expose them to similar risks and dangers of bodily harm as their counterparts in law enforcement. I believe this is a matter of fairness, and I am pleased that the bill was recently reported out of government operations and referred to the ways and means committee, one step closer to final approval. I was also pleased to co-sponsor A3229-A, the "Dennis Crawley Genetic Protection Act," named after the legendary Depew High School baseball coach who lost his battle with Lou Gehrig's disease last year. If passed, the bill would prevent insurance companies from discriminating against individuals who have undergone genetic testing that revealed predispositions to diseases like ALS. No person or family should be discouraged from pursuing genetic testing that could result in earlier detection, and more treatment options, for fear of how it will impact their coverage. I want to thank the Crawley family for their support of this bill that is currently in the Insurance Committee. I am proud that two pieces of legislation I co-sponsored have been approved by the full assembly and are hopefully well on their way to becoming law. The first bill, A34, requires the thruway authority to issue emergency services permits to ambulances in the same manner they now do with fire vehicles. This commonsense legislation will allow ambulances to utilize the New York state thruway toll free while responding to emergencies, increasing response times, and improving service delivery and outcomes for residents across the state. It is currently in the Senate Transportation Committee. The second bill, A4632, permits the use of state parks as locations for establishing farmers markets. More New Yorkers are seeking access to farm-fresh products and more farmers are looking for new markets and new ways to connect with buyers. This bill provides the remedy for both. The Senate has passed the bill, and I am confident that the governor will sign it.