Assembly adopts resolutions memorializing Census Day, Autism Acceptance Month and Fair Housing Month

The New York State Assembly on April 1, 2025, adopted several legislative resolutions memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim observances including April 1 as Census Day, April 2025 as Autism Acceptance Month and April 2025 as Fair Housing Month; the chamber also adopted resolutions for the Month of the Military Child and Take Your Dog to Work Day.

The package of observances highlights issues lawmakers said they want to call public attention to. "If 500,000 people are not counted in the next census, that will cost our state $1,400,000,000 in funding," Assemblymember Deas said while urging support for a Census Day proclamation, tying the count to federal program funding and infrastructure dollars. "It's no longer just about awareness. It's about acceptance, belonging and the work we continue to do to ensure that individuals with autism are included in every part of our society," Assemblymember Santa Barbara said as he introduced the autism resolution. Assemblymember Raga said declaring Fair Housing Month reaffirmed the state's commitment to ending housing discrimination: "Safe and equitable housing is the foundation for equal opportunity, economic stability," he said.

Votes at a glance

- Assembly Resolution No. 277 (Deas): Memorializes Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 1, 2025, as Census Day in New York State. Adopted (voice vote). Sponsor remarks stressed the funding consequences of undercounting.—Transcript segment: Assembly number 277, Mr. Deas (s:902.33–e:912.25).

- Assembly Resolution No. 278 (Santa Barbara): Memorializes Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025 as Autism Acceptance Month in New York State. Adopted (voice vote). Sponsor, who identified himself as chair of the Assembly's Committee on People with Disabilities, said the resolution emphasizes inclusion and supports for people on the autism spectrum.—Transcript segment: Assembly number 278, Mr. Santa Barbara (s:1068.29–e:1193.61).

- Assembly Resolution No. 279 (Hunter): Memorializes Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025 as Month of the Military Child in New York State. Adopted (voice vote).—Transcript segment: Assembly number 279, Miss Hunter (s:1297.23–e:1308.50).

- Assembly Resolution No. 280 (Raga): Memorializes Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025 as Fair Housing Month in New York State. Adopted (voice vote). Sponsor invoked the anniversary of the federal Fair Housing Act and called the month a recommitment to ending housing discrimination.—Transcript segment: Assembly number 280, Mr. Raga (s:1316.08–e:1388.85).

- Assembly Resolution No. 281 (Jackson): Memorializes Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 20, 2025, as Take Your Dog to Work Day in New York State. Adopted (voice vote).—Transcript segment: Assembly number 281, Miss Jackson (s:1397.73–e:1408.40).

Each of the listed resolutions was taken up on the main calendar and adopted by a voice vote; the clerk announced the result for each with the formula "On the resolution, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed, no. The resolution is adopted." No roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript for these items.

Context and next steps

During opening remarks the majority leader noted there were "13 new bills" on the main calendar that day to be considered by consent starting on page 4; those bills did not appear in the portions of the transcript provided. The majority also called the Ways and Means and Rules committees to the Speaker's Conference Room to prepare an eighth calendar expected to be taken up later in the session, and announced an immediate post-session conference of majority members. The resolutions passed in this excerpt are ceremonial/proclamatory in nature and request gubernatorial proclamations; none adopted statutory changes or budgetary appropriations in the recorded text.

Ending

After the votes the Assembly recessed and committee members were summoned to the Speaker's Conference Room for additional floor business and follow-up conferences announced by leadership.