Assembly Action Highlights
March 10-14, 2008

Dan Weiller, Press Secretary

Joint Session Of Legislature Acts On New York State Board Of Regents Positions
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Education Committee Chair Catherine Nolan and Higher Education Committee Chair Deborah Glick announced the election of Dr. Lester W. Young Jr., and Dr. Betty A. Rosa as the newest members of the 16-member panel of the New York State Board of Regents. The Assembly and Senate, in a joint session of the Legislature, also announced the return of Dr. Geraldine D. Chapey to the board.

"The Assembly Majority is committed to ensuring that our children receive the proper education and skills to become the outstanding achievers of the future," said Silver. "The addition of these distinguished and accomplished individuals to the Board of Regents will continue the mission of academic performance and excellence in education throughout our state."

"The addition of Betty Rosa and Lester Young as well as the return of Geraldine Chapey will bring knowledge, expertise and talent to the Board of Regents," said Nolan.

"The broad range of backgrounds and experiences by these members will enhance the efforts of our Regents Board and continue our goal to ensure an educated, informed and talented populace in New York," said Glick.

The Board of Regents was established in 1784 and is the oldest, continuous state education entity in the United States. Regents are responsible for the general supervision of all educational activities within the state, presiding over the State University of New York and the New York Education Department. Board members are elected to five-year terms by a joint session of the state Legislature.

Assembly Passes Pay Equity Legislation
The Assembly approved measures to end pay discrimination to correct the injustices associated with pay inequity. Testimony taken from legislative hearings has consistently found that women workers are paid less than their male counterparts.

The legislation would enact the New York State Fair Pay Act to ensure pay differentiation is not based on a person's sex, race or national origin (A.2712) and achieve pay equity for all New Yorkers by implementing a state policy of equal compensation for work of comparable worth for employees in state service (A.7407). The bills were delivered to the Senate.

Assembly Holds Public Hearing To Examine The Bond Insurance Industry
The Assembly held a public hearing in New York City to examine the state Insurance Department's regulatory role during the current bond insurance crisis. Assembly Insurance Committee Chair Joseph D. Morelle took testimony at the hearing about the recent downgrade of several major bond insurance companies by bond rating firms.

According to Morelle, much of the current municipal bond rating declines are due to the decision of bond insurance firms to insure riskier debt, backed by sub-prime mortgages. The deterioration of municipal bond ratings has hurt the state and its municipalities which now must pay additional interest on bonds used to raise funds for such crucial programs as education, transportation and construction.