Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick will be hosting a Senior Fair on Thursday, November 18th from 10 am to 3pm in the fieldhouse of Rockland Community College in Suffern.
Senior Fair to be held November 18th
New York State
FEMA update
Update from FEMA.
Veterans Day events in Rockland County
The following events will be taking place to commemorate Veterans Day throughout Rockland County.
Skoufis Legislation to Expand Disability Benefits for Military & Naval Affairs Firefighters Signed into Law
Senator James Skoufis (D-Hudson Valley) joined the New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs (DMNA) and members of the Civil Service Employees Association to announce the signing of his disability legislation (S4408) into law, expanding disability benefits for DMNA firefighters statewide.
For too long, firefighters and training/safety officers employed by the DMNA have been denied adequate disability benefits when they’ve fallen ill as a result of their duties. This law increases their disability pensions from one-third of final average salary (FAS) to 50% of 75% of FAS, and helps individuals to establish the presumption that disabilities were incurred while discharging their duties. This law finally creates disability benefits parity with every other professional firefighter in New York State.
“There’s no better way to honor the sacrifices of emergency personnel in our community than to make sure we answer the call when they’re in need,” said bill sponsor Senator Skoufis. “For many of these firefighters, their duties extend beyond the airport or the base to supply mutual aid to area fire companies, which is just one of many reasons why making sure they have comparable disability protections is a no-brainer. It was my privilege to be involved in moving this decade-long effort across the finish line and I thank the Governor for signing this important legislation into law.”
“We appreciate the continued efforts of the Senate and Assembly members who’ve worked year after year to get this legislation passed,” said CSEA Southern Region President Anthony M. Adamo. “Unlike her predecessors, Governor Hochul didn’t hesitate to support this legislation that gives DMNA firefighters the same protections as their counterparts across the state.”
“This legislation ensures that our small group of firefighters will receive the same disability benefits as our brothers and sisters from other departments across the state,” added CSEA Hudson Valley DMNA Employees Local President Jason Bartley. “We are grateful that our state elected officials recognized that DMNA firefighters face the same dangers and risk factors as other firefighters and therefore deserve the same protections.”
Senator Skoufis remains committed to supplying area emergency personnel with the tools and resources they need to perform their duties and keep residents safe.
Skoufis Receives NYS Association for Behavior Analysis Legislative Award
Senator James Skoufis (D-Hudson Valley) was recently presented with the New York State Association for Behavior Analysis (NYSABA) Legislative Award, an honor given to legislators or community members who have championed advocacy and action to benefit the practice, and consumers, of applied behavior analysis. Skoufis fought to pass legislation this year that will lift archaic restrictions for these professionals and ensure that hundreds of thousands of additional children with special needs are able to receive treatment for disorders.
“We are extraordinarily grateful for Senator Skoufis’ championing legislation to fix the scope of practice for behavior analysts here in New York,” said Debbi Politano, NYSABA Legislative Committee Member. “His leadership on this issue will help countless individuals in New York who might otherwise go without needed treatment.“
Napolitano introduced and formally presented the award to Senator Skoufis at NYSABA’s annual conference in Albany on October 28.
“Bringing New York into the 21st century by improving access to this expansive therapeutic option is a no-brainer, and I am extraordinarily grateful to NYSABA for their ongoing partnership in this fight,” said Senator Skoufis. “I am honored to accept this award on behalf of the many advocates and families who shared their stories with me; I hope we are able to celebrate together once more when the Governor takes the important step of signing this measure into law.”