NY edition - Know the issues with Lisa Vallone October 2022

About me, mag & contact info

I m Lisa Vallone. I have been involved with politics & government since my pre-teen years. The majority of my involvement centered around my role as a consultant to help various Party Chairs learn how to run more effective campaigns based on issues as well as training candidates on how to communicate constructively with those in their district. This led me to running for office myself, winning and proudly becoming the voice of my constituents. All of my experience has led me to this platform as I believe it is time we all more extensively educate ourselves on what bills are being considered or have recently been considered for law on the State & Federal level. Afterall, we Americans need more than broad stroke concepts with no real meat of the issue for us to digest. We value the efforts of those elected officials & candidates who reach out with Town meetings and other measures to let us know what they are doing or plan to do in office. And we believe they are in the majority. But, we must seek out every avenue to let our Representatives hear our voice so they can better represent us in government.

Based on my background in government, teaching and communications I believe in 3 pillars as the foundation for any discussion (1) Educate yourself, (2) Communicate with others, and (3) Reciprocate respectfully. If we follow these pillars - if we educate ourselves, let our voices be heard in an environment of mutual respect for those in office, those seeking office or those with differing opinions, then we can make a more perfect union.

A couple of notes . . . In this magazine I intentionally leave off the name/ Party affiliation of the person who introduced the bill as we are more than our Party we are Americans looking for responsible government that represents us. Too often when we hear legislation has been proposed by the opposite Party we close our ears or immediately discount it. I do not want that to happen. Only during my podcast will this information be revealed. Here is to the power of people to have the knowledge to know how hard their representatives work to represent them in government.

Email: KnowTheIssuesWithLisaVallone@gmail.com Podcast on Most Platforms: Know The Issues With Lisa Vallone Website: KnowTheIssueswithLisaVallone.com

Presidents, VPs & Congressional members

trivia quiz?

1. Which Presidential candidate ran for office while in jail: a. Eugene V Debs b. Richard M Nixon

2. The first Native American Congressman was: a. Charles Brent Curtis b. Thomas Ellicott

3. Which President named the “White House” the “White House”? a. Theodore Roosevelt b. Barack Obama

4. In Presidential elections having a height advantage seems to help a candidate as the taller candidate usually wins a. true b. false

5. This Congressman is the only Congressman to have a #1 hit on the Billboards Hot 100 a. Joe Walsh b. Sono Bono

6. Two archrival Presidents died on the same day. Were they a. Adams and Jefferson b. Adams and Washington

7. Glover Cleveland’s first name was actually “Stephen” before he changed it.

a. true b. false

Should feminine products be given to students for free in charter schools?

Here is a bill that former Governor Cuomo did not sign into law citing funding issues. Should this bill be reintroduced?

The bill was an Act to amend the public health law, in relation to providing feminine hygiene products in charter schools. In short, this bill added the words “charter schools” to Section 267 of the public health law to then read “All elementary and secondary public schools and charter schools in the state serving students in any grade from grade six through grade twelve shall provide feminine hygiene products in the restrooms of such school building or buildings. Such products shall be provided at no charge to students.

So, does the Governor’s veto represent your voice? And before you answer that question, I will provide some facts:

• Over 80% of charter students come from low income families and therefore are those least likely to be able to pay for different necessities.

• Charter schools in NYS are comprised of a diversity of student body with 91% being African-American.

• Femine products are not luxury items. They are necessities.

• Women who don’t have ready access to femine products are forced to stay home ,resulting in them falling behind their male counterparts in education because of their biology

• NYS has already set precedence by affording this expense for all other NYS school children outside the charter school realm.

Cleveland Clinic, University of Colorado Hospital & Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospitals are just 3 of a host of hospitals denying organ transplants to patients who have not had the COVID vaccine. Congressional bill S3985 was introduced to prohibit denying an individual from donating or receiving an organ because of their COVID-19 vaccination status; and it would also prevent Medicare and Medicaid providers from denying services to individuals based on their COVID-19 vaccination status. The bill is called the Give Life Act (Doss’s Bill)named after a teenage Texan who was denied a kidney transplant because had had not been vaccinated against COVID-19. Of note the same Senator who introduced this bill also introduced S3974 to end discrimination in Covid-19 treatments in determining eligibility for monoclonal antibody doses distributed by the Federal Government.

Do you want to discuss this past bill on my podcast?

Email: KnowTheIssuesWithLisaVallone@gmail.com

Photo courtesy of Richard Ravarino Believe it or not this true artistic visionary and videographer says the photo was literally taken from the freeway (I-278SB) through the dirty windshield of my semi. Not only can he find beauty as he drives but he can fully capture it.

Should Patients be mandated to receive the COVID vaccine in order to receive or give an organ transplant?

I think I speak for everyone when I say America is forever thankful to those who put their lives at risk to save others on 9/11. And so with that thought, and without leading you in your opinion, I present the synopsis of this bill:

1. The title of the bill says it is “To provide individuals who performed rescue, recovery, demolition, debris cleanup, or other related services after the 9/11 terrorist attacks an opportunity to adjust their status to that of lawful permanent residents”. Should these individuals who were here illegally, or were not born in the US, be afforded all the rights, privileges & benefits of a lawful citizen for providing help during our time of need?

2. Would your opinion change if you knew those who worked or volunteered for at least 24 hrs during the period beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending on September 30, 2001, would be eligible?

3. And is it a concern that the bill mentions that the alien(s) “was a member of a fire or police department”?

4. Does this bill fit the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” (As we learned in the last issue extraordinary circumstances falls under a private bill that can be introduced by Congressional members to grant citizenship to illegal aliens.

How do you feel about this bill? Want to be on my podcast? Email knowtheissueswithlisavallone@gmail.com

Retired police officer and former Binghamton Central High School football hero Dave Brewer enjoying a day at Niagara Falls

What does and for other purposes mean?

If you have seen the title of a bill in Congress you may have noticed many say and for other purposes . For example, HR6549 reads To provide debt relief to developing countries with unsustainable levels of debt, and for other purposes. The phrase means all of the title could not fit so they shortened it. It should alert you to the fact that you should always read the entire bill to understand it completely. In this bill for example the and for other purposes includes such elements as standards for equitable burden sharing among all creditors with material claims on each participating debtor; robust debt disclosure; expanded eligibility criteria to include all countries with unsustainable levels of sovereign debt; standards for comprehensive creditor participation consistent with robust application of the policies of the International Monetary Funds relating to lending into arrears; and consistent enforcement and improvement of the policies of multilateral institutions relating to asset-based and revenue-based borrowing by participating debtors, and coordinated standards on restructuring collateralized debt. And that is just a small part of the and for other purposes . So it is important when discussing a bill take the time to read it all.

HR to address the misuse of opioids by students and student athletes

According to the HHS.gov site in 2019, an estimated 10.1 million people aged 12 or older misused opioids in the past year. And the JAMA Network found “prescription opioids accounted for 6561 deaths (73.0%), with the mortality rate increasing by 131.3% between 1999 and 2006”.

This is a serious and rapidly growing problem in the United States. This bill was designed to award grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements for planning, establishing, or administering programs to prevent and address the misuse of opioids, related drugs, and other drugs commonly used in pain management or injury recovery, as well as the co-use of one or more such drugs with other substances, by students and student athletes. Included in this bill is the ability to carry out school-based programs and community-based programs, concerning the dangers and misuse and addiction of opioids and related drugs that are commonly used in pain management or injury recovery. It would also allow for a method for engaging youth, high school, or collegiate athletic & recreation programs & associations concerning these dangers and provide for the training and educating of State and local officials, youth athletics organizers, school administrators and staff, teachers, athletic directors, athletic trainers, coaches, collegiate administrators, directors of campus recreation, and campus-based medical providers, on the signs of misuse of opioids and the options for treatment, including holistic and comprehensive pain management solutions, and prevention of such misuse.

Photo courtesy of Matteo Catanese

NYS Assembly bill A00630 provides for the temporary surrender of firearms to the police by any person who is taken into custody by the police for the purpose of a mental examination and prior to an examination ordered pursuant to Article 730 of the criminal procedure law. This bill requires a "cooling off period" following the discharge from psychiatric care during which time firearms, which came into police custody during the person's pre-hospitalization intervention or during hospitalization, may be kept in police custody for thirty days, or after a psychiatric examiner has determined whether the person is a threat to himself or herself or Howothers.doyou

feel about this bill? Would you like to be a podcast guest? If so what knowtheissueswithLisaVallone@gmail.comPhotocourtesyofprofessionalphotographerJialinHuFallfoliageintheCatskills

This bill caught my eye as it is the equivalent of the bill I supported when I was a Representative in Connecticut back in 2001.

In short, it requires every dealer in second-hand articles who deals in the purchase or sale of any second-hand manufactured article comprised wholly or in part of gold, silver, platinum, or other precious metals, or deals in the purchase or sale of used electrical appliances excluding kitchen appliances, or deals in the purchase or sale of any used electronic equipment, computers or component parts of electronic equipment or computers, to make available to the Secretary of State the records required to be kept.

The bill does not explain the need for this action but in Connecticut we supported it because we found that people were using Pawn Shops and other like dealers to sell stolen personal items of value. These establishments were unaware of the fact the items were stolen and few had accurate record keeping to know the person who gave them these items. Enacting this legislation helped to curb crime as violators found it was not as easy to dispose of stolen property as it was before.

Of note, I remember the reason we brought forth this bill was because one of my constituents called and explained why he thought it would be a good idea and we agreed. It did have merit and because of his voice, we legislators we able to make a positive change. And this is why you must always remember your voice has power . . . you have power. Please speak up and let your Representative know what is on your mind.

AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to recordkeeping requirements for second-hand dealers and pawnbrokers?

How Can We Save Money With Our Courts?

NYS Senate bill S7220 is an act to amend the judiciary law, in relation to the number of Supreme Court justices in each judicial district. This bill adds judgeships in judicial district that have less than the full allotment of judgeships. at a total cost of approximately $1 million/yr for each Supreme Court justice, staff and administration expense costs.

In America we value our courts and judicial system and we support allocating funds to ensure the wheels run in a smooth & timely manner. But, at times it seems we may have too much of a strain on that system and the valued employees who are employed in this system. Despite efforts to devise a budget that is sound there are always budget analysts, PMs, and the general public who might have a fresh take on things. Let your voices be heard by outlining a plan, or plan segment, that can save the system money and then share it haveTheseonfiscalspaceareall$4ForentryItFY2022-JUDICIARY-Budget-Final_0.pdfhttp://ww2.nycourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/files/2020-12/Startknowtheissueswithlisavallone@gmail.comatbygoingtothislinkistheNYSUnifiedCourtSystembudgetfor21-22.Lookateachanddeconstructthebudgettodeterminehowmoneycanbesaved.example,page88statesthatrealestaterentalsadduptoalmostmillionayearfortheCourtofClaimsalone(theCourtthathandlesclaimsagainsttheStateofNYandcertainstateagencies).There10courts.Woulditbeabetteruseofmoneytobuythebuildings/andthenhavethatasanassettosell/leaseorisrentingthebestoption?Page91statesthatalmost$4.5millionisspenteachyearpostagewiththeJurySystemsOperationsdepartment.arejust2examples-sharewithmeexamplesyoufoundandfoundawaytosavemoney.

Should the Dept of Labor review top secret clearance candidates for federal positions?

HR 6419 is titled Fair Chance Improvement Act and it was crafted to “revise provisions regarding the prohibition on federal contractors, including defense contractors, from inquiring about applicants' criminal histories prior to conditional offers of employment.” The cost to implement this change is said to be negligible.

With this bill there are at least two parts to contemplate: (1) should applicants criminal histories be reviewed prior to conditional offers of employment? And if you believe it should be then (2) should this task be switched from the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) to the Department of Labor as the bill states it will be.

Is the Department of Labor equipped to investigate contractors with top secret clearances for national safety concerns? Will this change the mission of the Department of Labor? Will this actually add cost to train and hire people qualified for reviewing potential federal contractors with top secret clearance?

Photo: Courtesy of Tony OneidaCamardoLake

Answers to trivia quiz

1. Which President . . .:

a. Socialist candidate Eugene V Debs was in federal prison when he ran for office and although he lost he still received 900,000 votes (3.4% of the vote)

2. First Native American Congressman . . . .

a. Charles Brent Curtis starting in 1893. (Native American on his mother’s side) He was also the 1st and only Native American VP, having been on the winning ticket with Hoover. Interestingly enough Native Americans were not given the right to vote until the Snyder Act of 1924.

3. Which President named it the “White House” . . .

a. Theodore Roosevelt officially named it the White House. Prior to him taking office, the White House had different names including the “President’s Palace,” which sounded a bit like a throwback to England’s royalty, the “President’s House” and the “Executive Mansion.”

4. Taller candidate . . .

a. true. In the thirty-one presidential elections between 1900 and 2020, twenty-one of the 31 winning candidates have been taller than their opponents. In the JFK-Nixon televised debate voters are said to have thought JFK won the debate due to not only has tanned and relaxed look but also because of his height advantage.

Photo courtesy of Redd

5. This Congressman is the only Congressman to have a #1 hit on the Billboards Hot 100 b. Sonny Bono holds that title with his hit “I got you Babe” which stayed at #1 for 3 weeks.

6. Two archrival Presidents died on the same day. Were they a. Adams and Jefferson. The feud between these two Presidents is said to have begun over a disagreement regarding the Declaration of Independence. Adams thought the day to celebrate should be July 2nd as that is when the actual vote for Independence took place. Jefferson however argued that July 4th should be the date to celebrate as that is when the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Jefferson won that argument. Oddly enough both Presidents died on July 4, 1826 - 50 years after the adoption of the Declaration.

7. Grover Cleveland’s 1st name was actually Stephen. . . a. True. Does Stephen Cleveland have the same ring to you?

Beauty influencer & gamer Niki Crow enjoying a rooftop morning in Sleepy Hollow.

Editorial: Income for Foster Children who Age Out Has Merit but We Can do Better

Senate bill S8160 is crafted to be a pilot program where any NYS resident who ages out of foster care will receive a universal basic income of $1000 per month for three years. The rationale is that gives these children a sense of economic security.

How do you feel about this bill?

I believe that this bill has merit but we in NYS can do better –we can invest in these childrens’ future rather than solely giving them an income for a limited time period.

Providing monies for survival is essential and I applaud elected officials for introducing a bill that has this goal in mind. But the goal with these children, just as it is with all our children, is to have them thrive and not just survive. These children may be deprived of good role models or a strong support network and therefore it might be a good step to split the monies set aside by our State so that part is given to these children as a guaranteed income and part of the monies will be set aside for programs and like undertakings that prepare them for success. These monies would be in the form of training, employment, counselors and mentors to help ensure these children are safe mentally and physically and learn the skills they need in the real world, are enrolled in a trade school or college or receive the help they need to start a business.

Make no mistake about it. This is a serious issue. If we do not provide the needed resources, money or otherwise, to helping our youth –especially those in foster care it could have serious consequences.

Did you know that:

· 37% of the youth who transition out of foster care in NY will either return to homeless services or end up in jail within 2 years.

· Did you know that out of the 23000 children in the US who age out every year only 75% of women & 33% of men receive govt benefits to meet basic needs after they age out of the system.

· After reaching the age of 18, 20% of the children who were in foster care will become instantly homeless.

· Only 1 out of every 2 foster kids who age out of the system will have some form of gainful employment by the age of 24.

· There is less than a 3% chance for children who have aged out of foster care to earn a college degree at any point in their life.

· 7 out of 10 girls who age out of the foster care system will become pregnant before the age of 21.

· The percentage of children who age out of the foster care system and still suffer from the direct effects of PTSD: 25%.

How do you feel about thisEmail me at KnowTheIssuesWithLisaVallone@gmail.com