Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (R 1249) allocates $75,000 each to Roosevelt Public Library and Uniondale Public Library from a 2025-26 state appropriation for a pilot program expanding social work services in libraries. It requires that the allocation plan - which specifies the exact grantees and amounts - be approved by the temporary president of the Senate and the director of the budget, then passed by a majority vote of all elected senators in a roll call vote. The resolution was adopted on June 12, 2025, finalizing the grants for these two libraries to support social work services. This procedural resolution directly affects only the named libraries by securing their funding for the pilot program.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 1247 establishes a specific distribution plan for $100,000 in state funds allocated to economic development and community services organizations for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It requires an itemized list of grantees (including organizations like Sunnyside District Management Association and Queens Economic Development Corporation) with exact amounts, approved by the Senate Temporary President and Budget Director, and included in a Senate resolution passed by majority vote. This resolution directly affects the listed organizations by authorizing their specific funding amounts from the existing appropriation. The resolution is procedural, implementing how already-appropriated funds will be distributed.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 1251 establishes a required itemized list of grantees for 2025-26 state funding allocated to local governments and community-based nonprofits providing legal services (including domestic violence survivor support and indigent client representation) and violence prevention programs across upstate New York. The resolution mandates that all funding distribution plans - detailing exact grant amounts for specific organizations - must be approved by a majority of the full Senate via roll call vote. It specifically lists recipients like Albany Law School ($87,500), Legal Aid Society of Rochester ($218,750), and others, formalizing prior resolutions (R2704, R1406, R2693) for these programs. This procedural resolution ensures transparency in how state funds are distributed for criminal/civil legal aid and community safety initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (Senate Resolution J 1216) congratulating Justice Janet C. Malone on her retirement after 17 years serving as a New York State Supreme Court Justice in the Ninth Judicial District. It formally recognizes her career, including her historic election as the first Caribbean-American and first African American woman to serve on that court, her community service, and her contributions to legal education and advocacy. The resolution has no policy impact - it is a symbolic gesture of appreciation from the New York State Legislature with no binding effect or new requirements. It was adopted by the Senate on June 12, 2025.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution J 1252 is a ceremonial resolution memorializing Governor Hochul to formally recognize June 2025 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in New York State. It does not create new laws or policies; instead, it requests the Governor issue a symbolic proclamation to honor the community's history and ongoing advocacy. The resolution cites key LGBTQIA+ milestones, including the Stonewall uprising and New York's marriage equality law, to frame the recognition. This is a procedural resolution with no direct effect on residents or policy implementation.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) congratulating Shawn MacKinnon on retiring after 30 years of service as a Senate staffer. It recognizes his roles including Secretary to the Senate Finance Committee, expertise in school funding, and mentorship, but contains no policy changes or mechanisms. The resolution formally acknowledges his contributions and will be sent to him as a copy. It directly affects MacKinnon as the honoree, with no impact on legislation or constituents.

Expands the purposes of the volunteer and exempt firefighters' benevolent association of Thornwood, New York; provides for the payment to it of certain taxes imposed upon premiums on policies of fire insurance in foreign insurance companies.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (J 1100) asks Governor Hochul to officially recognize September 21-27, 2025, as Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) Awareness Week in New York State. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise public awareness about FTD, a terminal brain disease affecting speech, behavior, and motor skills, often misdiagnosed in people aged 40-60. The resolution highlights FTD's impact - accounting for 10-20% of dementia cases under 60 - and its high care costs, urging greater attention to the condition. This symbolic action directly affects New Yorkers living with FTD and their families by promoting community recognition.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (J 1140) honoring Allison Lake for her 25 years of service as deputy director and executive director of the Westchester Children's Association. It formally recognizes her leadership and contributions to child advocacy in Westchester County, including her role in advancing policies like New York's Raise the Age Law. The resolution directs the Senate to honor her at a celebration on June 4, 2025, and transmit a copy of the resolution to her. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any policies.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (J 1131) is a ceremonial tribute honoring U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sergeant Eugene J. Darrigan, who died in World War II on March 11, 1944. It commemorates his service and recognizes his long-overdue burial in Wappingers Falls, New York, on May 24, 2025, after remains were recovered 81 years posthumously. The resolution expresses New York State's gratitude to Darrigan's family and community for his sacrifice, but it does not create new laws or affect any policies. As a symbolic gesture, it was adopted by the Senate on June 5, 2025.