Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Session Opening topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
New York State Assembly opens, schedules committee meetings and honors Saratoga Performing Arts Center on its 60th anniversary
Summary
The Assembly convened May 26, approved the journal, announced off-floor committee meetings (including Ways and Means and Rules) and introduced guests — notably Elizabeth Sobel of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, which the Assembly will honor with a resolution.
The New York State Assembly convened Tuesday morning, approved the journal from May 26 and scheduled off-floor committee meetings, Assemblymember Lunsford said.
"Madam Speaker, I move to dispense with the further reading of the journal of Tuesday, May 26, and that the same stand approved," Assemblymember Lunsford said, and the motion was agreed to "without objection," the Speaker replied.
The Assemblymember urged colleagues to focus on the day's budget work and opened with a quote attributed to former governor Theodore Roosevelt: "Do what you can with what you have, where you are, and I hope that brings us through this budget day."
Lunsford announced that Ways and Means and Rules would meet off the floor and "produce a calendar, which we will take up immediately," and listed other committees expected to meet: Transportation; Social Services; Local Government; Health; Governmental Operations; Education; and Children and Families. The Speaker directed Ways and Means members to the Speaker's Conference Room to begin committee work.
Members used the opening period to introduce guests. Assemblymember Warner introduced Elizabeth Sobel, chief executive officer of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, noting SPAC's 60th anniversary and a forthcoming Assembly resolution honoring the institution. "If you haven't had an opportunity to enjoy the Saratoga Jazz Festival, the New York City Ballet, the Philadelphia Orchestra ... may I suggest that you add that to your summer tour this year?" Warner said.
Mister Alvarez introduced a delegation of Latina entrepreneurs from his district, naming President Maribel Perez and others and thanking them for their leadership and contributions to local commerce. Mister Syed introduced Sundar Venugopalan, a trustee representing an organization observing a privilege resolution for Sai Baba's centennial and praised the honoree's contributions to volunteerism and peace. Mister Lamondis recognized Don McGee, Gene Mills and Dr. Robert Zayas for long-standing work in high-school athletics and wrestling programs. Miss Gallagher introduced three middle-school debate participants — Cooper King, Daniella Gilead and Kathy King — and encouraged members to welcome young people to observe Assembly proceedings.
On Assemblymember Lunsford's motion, the House stood at ease to allow committee work to proceed.
The Assembly is scheduled to take up the calendar produced by Ways and Means and Rules; a resolution recognizing SPAC's 60th anniversary was announced for consideration later in the day's session.
