Steve Otis Supports Justice, Opportunity and Fairness for ALL New Yorkers

The New York Immigration Coalition Action (NYIC Action) today announced its endorsement of Steve Otis (D, WFP, IND – Rye) for re-election to the New York State Assembly (91st District).

Steve K. Choi, Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition Action said, “The global pandemic has made one thing clear -the health and well-being of every New Yorker is closely tied to that of our neighbors, including the immigrants who are on the front lines of this pandemic and bearing the brunt of it. Now more than ever, we must ensure that our elected leaders are fighting for all of us, committed to fairness, justice and opportunity for all regardless of immigration status. We are proud to endorse Assemblyman Steve Otis (91st AD) who has worked with our Westchester partners on education, legal and human service issues for many years. We look forward to working with him in the next session to protect and provide relief – for immigrant and all New Yorkers.”

In commenting on the endorsement Assemblyman Otis stated, “I appreciate the endorsement of NYIC Action and their advocacy on issues of importance to Westchester families. I am proud of my work with Westchester not-for-profits and school officials to support funding for ELL programs in schools, legal services, the Dream Act and the Green Light bill, policies that support the rights and opportunities of all New Yorkers.”

Steve Otis is running for re-election as Assemblyman for the 91st District which includes Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Port Chester, Rye and Rye Brook. Otis is a member of the Assembly Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force and works closely with area not-for-profits serving immigrant communities.

NYIC Action (nyicaction.org) was originally formed in 2010 as a sister organization to the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), a 501(c)(3) coalition with 200 member organizations across New York State. In order to increase the political potency of the immigrant vote, Immigrant Action endorses candidates and elected officials who stand up for immigrant communities and against anti-immigrant opponents. Immigrant Action engages in targeted advocacy on specific immigrant-related issues such as legislative scorecards, pointed advocacy flyers highlighting individual elected officials’ stances, and intensive grassroots and direct lobbying of elected officials. Issues include in candidate evaluation included expanding our democracy, racial justice, health and welfare, education, and immigrant justice.”

Assemblyman Steve Otis (D-WFP-IND-Rye) has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Empire State Votes for re-election to the State Assembly for the 91st Assembly District.

“Planned Parenthood Empire State Votes is proud to endorse Steve Otis, who is a long-time champion for reproductive health and rights in both Westchester and Albany. Assemblymember Otis was a co-sponsor of the Reproductive Health Act, the Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act, and the Boss Bill – all of which work to prioritize reproductive health care and access for New Yorkers.” – Robin Chappelle Golston, Chair, Planned Parenthood Empire State Votes PAC

Assemblyman Otis stated, “The important work of protecting the health care needs of women, reproductive rights and personal freedom continues as new threats come from Washington and the federal courts. I have worked on these issues for decades and thank Planned Parenthood Empire State Votes for their endorsement in this this year’s election.”

In addition to key bill sponsorships the Assemblyman is an advocate for family planning funding in the state budget and is a member of the NYS Bipartisan Pro-Choice Legislative Caucus (BPCLC).

The Assemblyman has been an active supporter of these issues for many years. Before election to the Assembly Otis served as Counsel and Chief of Staff for State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer and worked closely with the Senator on issues relating to reproductive freedom, state funding for women’s health services and on women’s issues generally through the NYS Senate Democratic Task Force on Women’s Issues. He has marched and demonstrated for women’s issues in Westchester, New York City and Washington D.C. Steve works closely with the pro-choice community in Westchester County.

Assemblyman Otis is running for re-election as Assemblyman for the 91st District which Includes Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Port Chester, Rye and Rye Brook.

Statement of Steve Otis on his run for re-election to the NYS Assembly, District 91. April 9, 2020.

“I am running for re-election on my record of solid performance and effectiveness as an Assemblyman delivering results in every aspect of the job.

• Strong results on issues and funding of importance to every community and school district I represent.
• Strong record of accomplishment on statewide issues, most notably creation of a new clean water grant program for municipalities, the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2015, which has awarded almost $1.2 billion in grants to local governments, reducing property taxes and making clean water projects a reality. Every Long Island Sound Shore community in Westchester has been awarded funding from the program I initiated. The program has been a great success, awarding $416 million statewide in 2019 alone.
• A new program I initiated was just included in the recently passed state budget, a Stormwater Grant program for at least $100 million, which was added to Governor Cuomo’s environmental bond act proposal. Both grant programs are vital in helping local governments fund required water infrastructure projects.
• An outstanding record in successful passage of legislation, in recent years passing a majority of my prime sponsored bills, a rarity among legislators. In 2019 both houses of the legislature passed 13 out of my 14 sponsored bills.

I have passed statewide bills protecting children, safeguarding animals and protecting consumers from deceptive marketing practices and violations of do-not-call registry rules. I also passed landmark criminal justice legislation to help solve missing persons cases.

In 2018 I sponsored Lulu and Leo’s Law, which established a legal duty for individuals to be accurate when presenting credentials or references to be hired as an at-home caregiver of a child. The law was named for Lulu and Leo Krim who were murdered in 2012 at the hands of their nanny who falsified her credentials and lack of previous experience caring for children.

In 2019 I passed important legislation to guarantee that commercial tenants, often small businesses, cannot have their leases unilaterally terminated without access to the courts.

My staff and I are completely dedicated to constituent service. We are currently providing full-time assistance addressing the countless issues facing individuals, nursing homes, local government, school districts and businesses affected by the Covid-19 crisis.

In addition to strong support within the Democratic Party, I have been endorsed by the Independence and Working Family Party lines.

By every measure I have been a hardworking, effective and accessible state legislator. I would be honored to continue that service and continue delivering results for the Sound Shore communities I represent.”

Steve Otis co-sponsored legislation to provide all private and public sector employees in New York with sick leave and wage replacement during a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19. This legislation allows all employees to receive anti-retaliation and job protections and is effective immediately. The legislation was signed by Governor Cuomo Wednesday night.

Steve Otis stated, “The economic challenge created by the COVID-19 crisis is only beginning. This legislation will help slow the spread of the coronavirus by providing financial stability to workers who need to stay in isolation. Both part-time and full-time, public or private sector employees are eligible for sick leave benefits outlined in the legislation. As the crisis continues, further economic actions will be required by the federal and state government to protect individuals, families and businesses so that we can weather the storm as a nation.”

Our country and our county are facing the unprecedented challenge of the highly contagious COVID-19.

Updates can by found on my governmental website and the NYS Department of Health website which is updated daily. The DOH site contains updates and several fact sheets for how to limit the spread of the disease and what to do if you are experiencing symptoms.

If you believe you have been exposed, you should contact your primary care physician who can refer you for testing. Expanded testing opportunities are being made available with testing requests prioritized according to DOH criteria. To see if you qualify for testing, contact either your primary care provider or the State hotline at 888-364-3065.

Important hotline numbers are:

• People under self-quarantine or exposure to known case: (866) 588-0195
• NYS Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline: (888) 364-3065 (24/7)
• Westchester County COVID-19 Information: Call 211

You may also access the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html and the NYS website https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home

I am working with local officials, school districts and state agencies to address the issues that arise in this evolving challenge to our nation. Please contact me if I can be helpful and please follow the latest public health advisories found on the NYS Department of Health website.

Warm regards,

Assembly Member Steve Otis said, “Governor Cuomo and NYS DOT have been very responsive to bringing the most up-to-date technology to the King Street bridge and other locations around the state. We need to redouble our efforts to educate renters and drivers of trucks about bridge height safety. State, county and local officials are united in the cause of promoting better public awareness on this safety issue.

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Mamaroneck, N. Y. – The Town of Mamaroneck Democratic Committee has voted to endorse incumbent Rep. Eliot Engel for the 16th Congressional district, NY State Senator Shelley Mayer (D- Yonkers) for 37th Senate District and NY Assembly Member Steve Otis (D- Rye) in the 91st Assembly District.

We are fortunate to have such hard-working representatives at the state and congressional level that share our progressive values and who are continuously advocating on behalf of their constituents. Last year’s historic legislative year was only possible thanks to the strong commitment to democratic principles of elected officials like Senator Mayer and Assembly member Otis. The impeachment of President Trump and continuing efforts to hold him accountable are a result of the efforts by representatives like Eliot Engel, who are willing to stand up for the rule of law.

We appreciate the receptiveness of our government representatives and their continued engagement in our committee meetings and look forward to another productive legislative year.

Mamaroneck, NY – Assemblyman Steve Otis (D-Rye) and State Senator Shelley Mayer (D-Westchester) announced today that the Town of Mamaroneck has been awarded a $1M clean water state grant to renovate and ‘green’ Madison Avenue near I-95 in Larchmont. The state funding will allow the Town of Mamaroneck to utilize funds from the Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP) to improve storm water quality and management in the Madison Avenue area of the Town. The grant was awarded by the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation.

Assemblyman Otis said, “I am thrilled that Mamaroneck’s project has won funding for their innovative clean water project from NYS EFC. The Town has been a leader in cutting edge projects to protect Mamaroneck’s environment. Governor Cuomo and EFC have made a major funding commitment to clean water infrastructure projects statewide. The Green Innovation Grant program is part of that success.”

Senator Mayer said, “I am pleased to support the Town of Mamaroneck in its efforts to secure this $1M state grant for the Madison Avenue Green Infrastructure Project. Congratulations to Town Supervisor Nancy Seligson and thank you for leading on innovative green efforts in our local communities.”

Town Supervisor Nancy Seligson said, “I’m very pleased that the Town of Mamaroneck will be able to make the Madison Avenue area more resilient and sustainable by constructing Green Infrastructure thanks to a NYS GIGP grant. The Green Infrastructure will reduce flooding and improve stormwater water quality.”

This project will include bioretention areas and underground detention that will improve drainage and reduce the volume of storm water runoff. This is consistent with NYS Department of Environmental conservation green infrastructure practices and will capture and treat storm water from Madison Avenue and paved adjacent areas, thereby improving the water quality of Pine Brook which runs into the Long Island Sound. Traffic calming measures such as planted medians will be added that will further help retain storm water and beautify the area.

In May, Assemblyman Otis sponsored a clean water green infrastructure workshop in Westchester with the Environmental Facilities Corporation to make local government officials aware of some of the state’s innovative clean water assistance programs and encourage applications from our region.

The passing of Judith Johnson is a great loss to schoolchildren across New York. Judith was a leader in education in districts throughout our region for decades. Her selection to the Board of Regents in 2015 represented the legislature’s desire to bring outstanding educators to the board. She was in constant contact with teachers, school officials and students throughout her time as a regent. Our state legislative delegation met with her often and in a meeting as recently as a few weeks ago. She was an advocate for quality education for every child and careful analysis before deciding education policy. Judith will be sorely missed.