The Senators Op-Ed: The Powerful Purpose Of Bills

By State Senator Cordell Cleare

As the State Senator for the 30th District, I am in such a great position to productively affect the lives and well-being of my community.

I create and co-sponsor bills which aim to enhance the quality of life of my constituents.

“I focus on legislation designed to assist and uplift the community …”

Every day I am grateful to understand the powerful purpose of legislation. My bills have a Statewide effect, but my main focus remains my 30th District in Harlem. I focus on legislation designed to assist and uplift the community, especially my seniors. My bills address a number of issues – from housing to small businesses, to schools, to issues surrounding city and state benefit programs.

I also want us to look into issues like senior employment, they have so much to offer, and they do want to work. There are seniors who were teachers, nurses, and technicians, and they still have a lot to offer. 

Not just because of the pandemic, but there is a worker shortage in general, and often overlooked is the fact that seniors want to be involved in the workforce too.

Bills can effectively change lives.

In the 2024 Legislative Session, 60 of my bills passed the Senate.  Of that total, 31 also passed the Assembly, or as we say “passed both houses.”  Those 31 bills were sent to Governor Kathy Hochul. Thirteen have been signed so far, and 18 are pending.  

Amongst the 18 bills awaiting Gov.  Hochul’s signature, and are eligible to become law this year, are Jury Of Our Peers, a series of Aging bills, as well as East Harlem Cultural District, Stickball Economic Preference, etc.   

“… empower Older New Yorkers’ quality of life.”

Also, among those bills, include a number of measures designed to empower Older New Yorkers’ quality of life.  At my 3rd Annual Senior Day in Harlem, I drew specific attention to four bills that passed both houses and await the Governor’s signature, including the application for the Medicare savings program; ensuring that those who sign up for Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefits are automatically be enrolled for the Medicare Savings Program at the very same time.

This is one of many significant issues that we must look at to find immediate and productive solutions.

 In the meantime, I have urged Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the legislation called “ A Jury Of Their Peers” (JOOP) which has passed both the Senate and Assembly.

The New York State Court System hears over 3 million cases each year and while not every proceeding turns into a trial by jury, for those that do—those involved expect to have the constitutional right to be judged by their peers.

However, in New York State right now, any individual convicted of a felony is barred for their entire lifetime from jury service.

RELATED: Read more articles regarding The Senators Op-Ed by Senator Cordell Cleare.

New York’s lifetime ban on jury service simply makes no sense, as a matter of law, policy, justice, or equity. The most important part of incarceration is rehabilitation and the opportunity to return to your community, participate in civic life, and feel that you are part of society. Sitting on a jury is the quintessential act of civic life—it should be open to all.

To completely eliminate thousands of otherwise eligible individuals from the civic and social good that is jury service–is nonsensical. It may also be Unconstitutional. At a minimum, it perpetuates a cycle of inequitable outcomes that is not acceptable.

“Jury Of Our Peers” solves this problem by changing our laws to ensure that all individuals who have served their time and completed their parole have their ability to serve on juries reinstated. In doing so, New York will join nearly half of the states in this nation who also restore jury service.

“… the opportunity to learn, grow, and rehabilitate …”

For the formerly incarcerated, the opportunity to learn, grow, and rehabilitate is inextricably linked to the principle that one may use these tools to contribute to the betterment of society.

Signing Jury Of Our Peers will ensure that people have the opportunity to be judged by those who have walked in their shoes, those who have a similar lived experience, and those who know the path of growth.

New York State Senator Cordell Cleare

New York State Senator Cordell Cleare was raised in Harlem and her family has lived there for four generations.   Cleare is a product of the New York City public schools, including Brooklyn Technical High School.  Today, she is best known for her fight for Reparations, Truly Affordable Housing, Quality Schools & Equitable Education, Access to Healthy Foods as well as Economic, Environmental, Restorative and Racial Justice. She entered the New York State Senate on an express train from Upper Manhattan, bringing fresh ideas and legislative proposals to make New York, the state of the whole people. https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/cordell-cleare

Photo credit: Albany. WIki.