RyeCity REVIEW THE
April 27, 2018 | Vol. 6, Number 17 | www.ryecityreview.com
Mayer wins Westchester Senate seat in special election Douglas Colety said in a statement. “I am proud of the race that Julie Killian ran. Running Democratic state Assembly- in a very difficult climate, Julie woman Shelley Mayer claimed took a stand for the taxpayers and victory against Republican candi- against one party rule in Albany. date Julie Killian in a fiery spe- While we were not successful last cial election for a vacated 37th night, I am confident that Julie’s Senate District seat. message will be proven right in According to the county Board the coming months. High taxes of Elections, with 87 percent of and corruption is the reason our the vote being reported, Yonkers’ state capitol continues to be so Mayer captured 24,238 votes, dysfunctional. Shelly Mayer is while Rye’s Killian fell short a typical Albany politician who with 17,793 votes. will not put the taxpayers first “Shelley Mayer is a seasoned and will not deliver the change legislator who knows all the is- that we desperately need.” sues and the people trust that she The 37th Senate District seat, will work on their behalf,” said formerly occupied by Democratic Westchester County Democrat- County Executive George Latimic Chairman Reginald Lafayette. er, covers the cities of New Ro“Despite all the negative cam- chelle, Rye, White Plains, Yonpaigning and negative attacks kers and the towns of Bedford, against her during this campaign, Harrison, Mamaroneck, North she came out the winner. It shows Castle, Rye, and Eastchester. that she is a strong woman and Latimer vacated the position that she has the confidence of the in January after defeating former voters in that district.” Westches- County Executive Rob Astorino, ter County Republican Chairman a Republican, to become the head
By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer
Julie Killian
Shelley Mayer
Legislators introduce “reusable bag initiative” White Plains, NY — As people around the globe observe Earth Day this weekend, Westchester County Legislators Kitley Covill and Nancy Barr are putting their environmental principles into action at home: They are proposing legislation to encourage the use of reusable bags and keep single-use plastic checkout bags out of the County’s streets, landfills and waterways. “This is the first step toward a goal we all share -- to improve the environment by eliminating the plastic bags that pollute our waterways, clog our sewers, back up our storm drains, endanger our marine life and litter our streets,” said District 2 Legislator, Kitley
S. Covill of Katonah. “This legislation reflects an increasing awareness of how destructive, permanent and unnecessary single-use plastic bags actually are,” said District 6 Legislator, Nancy Barr of Rye Brook. “While several municipalities around Westchester already have reusable bag legislation and several others are considering similar laws, it’s time for the County as a whole to join other counties like Suffolk in leading the State and the Nation towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for ourselves and for our children.” The newly proposed Reusable Bag Initiative looks to eliminate single-use plastic bags for retail
checkout. Stores and other sellers will be allowed to provide only heavier-duty reusable bags or bags made of recycled paper. We are proposing a fee of no less than 10 cents for every bag provided by a seller as studies have shown that a fee encourages consumers to bring their own bags, and results in the reduction of waste. To ensure that the fee is not a burden on those who can’t afford it, SNAP and WIC recipients are exempted under the proposal. Also exempted are certain kinds of bags – such as dry cleaner garment covers, thin produce bags and larger bags of the sort used for garbage liners, as well as paper bags used by pharmacies
for prescriptions. The legislation additionally takes aim at polystyrene foam packing materials, banning their use in food packing and other kinds of items packed in the County. “The introduction of this measure is the first step in the legislative process,” said Covill. “The various committees at the Board of Legislators will be listening to everyone – store owners, consumers, environmental scientists and others – as we work together to shape a law that is not an undue burden on anyone, but one that will make the Westchester BAGS continued on page 8
of the county during last year’s elections. With Mayer’s win, Democrats technically now have a one-vote majority over the GOP in New York’s state Senate; however, one Democrat in the Legislature has said we will continue to align with Republicans. Prior to the election, mainline Democrats tried to unify their party in order to take control of the Senate for the first time since 2010. The effort proved to be unsuccessful though, as Brooklyn Democrat Simcha Felder announced the day of the vote that he would continue to caucus with Republicans regardless of the results of the special election. In a public statement, Felder said, “With only 25 days remaining in this year’s legislative session, I believe it is my obligation
to prevent an unprecedented and uncertain late session political battle that will only hurt my constituents and New Yorkers.” That gives the GOP a one-seat majority over Democrats until the end of this year’s legislative session, which ends in June. Despite her loss, State Republican Chairman Edward Cox said Killian is a “tenacious advocate for the reforms that are so desperately needed to restore our state and has established herself as a champion for Westchester and New York taxpayers.” Killian’s loss is her second unsuccessful bid for the 37th Senate District seat, after she previously lost against Latimer in 2016. Senators are elected to twoyear terms for a base salary of $79,500 per year. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
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