New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has invoked his Authority and called a Special Session of the State Legislature on Wednesday afternoon at 1pm to Address an Extension of Mayoral Control of New York City's Schools.
Cuomo issued a Proclamation calling for the "Extraordinary" Session, and said he will ask Lawmakers to Vote on a Bill to Extend Mayoral Control for One Year and to take up "such other subjects as I may recommend."
The Governor has the power to call Lawmakers to Albany to Convene, however, he cannot Force them to Act on the Agenda he has set. But Cuomo's Secretary Melissa DeRosa said in a Statement that Cuomo has discussed the Proposed Session Agenda with Legislative Leaders. Mike Whyland, a Spokesman for Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, tweeted Tuesday that the Governor and Speaker had communicated about the Timing of a Session and what would be in Legislation taken up. "Speaker didn't object as the governance of the NYC schools too (important)," Whyland tweeted.
At a Panel Discussion Tuesday Morning at the Times Union's Hearst Media Center, Democratic Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy of Albany said she received Notice of the Special Session Monday Night. Republican State Sen. James Tedisco said he had not yet received Official Word of the Chamber's return.
The current Oversight System that gives New York City's Mayor Control of the School System lapses Friday. It was the most significant Unresolved Legislative matter when Lawmakers left Albany a week ago on the Scheduled Last Day of the Session.
The Governor said last week it was a "Dereliction of Duty" for Lawmakers to leave without Addressing Mayoral Control.
0he New York Times reported Monday Night that the Governor is also planning to introduce a separate Bill to allow Police Officers, Firefighters, and Members of the City Employee's Retirement System to Qualify for Enhanced Accidental Disability Pension Benefits. Another issue left Unaddressed at the end of the recent Session was the Extension of Sales Taxes for more than 50 Counties. Those Tax Revenues are Critical to the Budgets of Counties and will lapse later this year without Legislative Intervention.
State Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen Acquario said when Lawmakers return Wednesday they should Approve Legislation offered by Cuomo to give Permanent Authority for Counties to Set Local Sales Taxes.
"The lack of action on county home rule requests during the regularly scheduled legislation session demonstrates the need for permanent authority," Acquario said in a statement. "The consequence of inaction impacts the ability of counties (and the cities, towns, and villages who share these sales tax revenues) to govern and provide programs and services at the local level. It will also impact the cost of borrowing, as rating agencies are likely to downgrade local governments' ability to finance publicly-issued bonds."
The Regular Session ended last week as the Assembly and Senate remained Gridlocked over how to Package the Extension of Mayoral Control. The Assembly Passed Legislation that included Extensions of both Mayoral Control and the Sales Taxes. The Senate Approved a Measure that Linked Mayoral Control to Expanding the Number of Charter Schools in the City.
The Times reported that Charter Schools was not currently addressed in the Cuomo Bill.
State Sen. Michael Gianaris wants both Chambers to consider Increased Subway Funding, proposing a Temporary three-Year Surcharge on Taxpayers in the MTA region who make more than $1 million a Year and on New York City Motel and Hotel Taxes.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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