“It was a different dynamic, but it was productive nonetheless,” said Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz, a Democrat from Queens. “We passed things that people might not think are huge, but that create real life impact and really change the trajectory of how people are treated in this state.”
As always, there were measures that failed to make it over the finish line.
A package of bills to reform the state’s sexual harassment laws passed the Senate, but did not make it to the floor of the Assembly, upsetting supporters who saw an opportune window to pass the changes after questions over Mr. Cuomo’s treatment of women brought the issue to the forefront.
The Senate also approved the Adult Survivors Act, which would open a one-year look-back window for adult victims of sex crimes to file civil suits against their abusers, but the Assembly did not vote on the legislation.
Democrats also tried, and failed, to agree on a contentious proposal sought by criminal justice reform activists that would have sealed the records of people with misdemeanors after three years, and of those with felony records after seven years.
But legislative leaders signaled that lawmakers could return at any time to pass more bills, especially since both chambers enacted changes to conduct much of their work remotely, a change that was precipitated by the coronavirus but may outlast the pandemic.
Indeed, the State Capitol, typically bustling, was mostly quiet, still closed to the public even as the pandemic has subsided and much of the state has reopened. Missing were the throngs of activists and lurking lobbyists accustomed to stalking harried lawmakers in the hopes of swaying them on a particular issue.
The State Senate could still vote to approve Mr. Cuomo’s measure to split the M.T.A.’s top post into two roles, and the upper chamber is expected to hold confirmation hearings for the agency’s leadership positions in the coming weeks: The outgoing chairman and chief executive, Patrick J. Foye, will step down in July.
“As our scheduled session concludes tonight, we are proud of the historic progress we made this year,” Senate majority leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Democrat from Westchester, said on Thursday. “If ongoing discussions on any outstanding issues require action, we stand ready to come back when and if necessary.”
The Link LonkJune 14, 2021 at 07:16PM
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With Cuomo Weakened, New York Lawmakers End Session With Flex of Power - The New York Times
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