FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ali Skinner, (845) 200-9716
June 23, 2011
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
NYS Senator Greg Ball (R, C – Patterson)
“Knowing that marriage equality was likely to pass, I thought it important to force the issue of religious protections. Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the distinct opportunity of listening to literally thousands of residents, on both sides of this issue, by holding an undecided stance. I thought it was important to listen to all of my constituents and hold an undecided position until the actual bill language was written and everyone’s voice had been heard. Now that the final text is public, I am proud that I have secured some strong protections for religious institutions and basic protections for religious organizations. The bill still lacks many of the basic religious protections I thought were vital, and for this reason, and as I did in the Assembly, I will be voting ‘no.’”
For more information or to speak with Senator Ball, please contact Ali Skinner: (845) 200-9716.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ali Skinner, (845) 200-9716
Ball, Castelli, Announce Landmark Protections
Military Employment Protection Bill Passed NYS Senate and Assembly
Albany, N.Y. – (06/23/11) – New York’s public employees who are called up to serve their country will soon have one less thing to worry about. Their jobs! Senator Greg Ball (R, C – Patterson), Chairman of the Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee, sponsored and passed a piece of legislation (S4583A) that protects a public employees’ job when they are absent on military duty.
“The last thing a deploying soldier should have to worry about when they go to war is whether they’ll have a job when they come home,” Chairman Ball said. “This is the least we can do for our brave men and women who put their lives on the line, and on hold, for this country.”
The legislation was created following the layoffs of Army Sergeants Anddy Moreno and Alvin Taylor, who were let get by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) last year while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill says that no public employer in New York shall abolish a position occupied by a person absent on military duty, based solely upon the fact that the positions are filled by individuals engaged in military duty.
The legislation passed in the New York State Assembly, sponsored by Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli (R, C – Goldens Bridge).
“It is beyond comprehension how the MTA could even consider laying off military reservists called to serve our nation during a time of war. I found the MTA’s actions to be reprehensible,” said Castelli. “While I was pleased that the authority quickly reversed its decision, this calamity showed the need for legislation that will provide enhanced employee protections for America’s servicemen and women,” added Castelli.
The legislation was co-sponsored by Senator Ball’s colleague in the New York State Senate, Senator Bill Larkin (R, C – Cornwall-on-Hudson).
“It is unconscionable that men and women in the military who are also public employees would have to worry about being laid off from their jobs while they are serving their country on active duty,” said Senator Larkin. “This legislation will provide our service members and their families with peace of mind while they are away on military leave. I wholeheartedly support this bill and commend Senator Ball for making it a priority this legislative session,” added Larkin.
For more information or to speak with Senator Ball, please contact Ali Skinner: (845) 200-9716.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ali Skinner, (845) 200-9716
NEW YORK MUST STAND AGAINST “OBAMACARE”
Senator Ball says “No” to state implementation of “ObamaCare”
Albany, N.Y. – (06/23/11) – Senator Greg Ball (R, C – Patterson) is urging Governor Andrew Cuomo and his fellow legislators to stand-up against a state-based health exchange, seen by many at the first-step towards “Obamacare.” Senator Ball believes the New York Health Benefit Exchange will create an additional burden for the state and lead to more unfunded mandates.
“This does nothing to improve access to, or control costs for, healthcare in New York,” said Senator Greg Ball. “Obamacare has been ruled unconstitutional and needs to be repealed, not implemented. Creating an exchange will only create more costs and future unfunded mandates, that which the state cannot afford,” added Ball.
The Affordable Care Act, also known as “Obamacare,” authorized state-level health insurance exchanges to streamline eligibility and enrollment for all medical assistance programs. By 2014, each state’s exchange must be able to enroll individuals and small businesses into health insurance plans and certify that plans meet certain requirements, such as an adequate provider network and an essential benefits package.
The Governors of Florida and Alaska have already come out against state-based exchanges, citing enormous new costs and additional work for agencies. Senator Ball is encouraging lawmakers in New York to do the same and say “no” to a state-based health exchange.
For more information or to speak with Senator Ball, please contact Ali Skinner: (845) 200-9716.
Bazzo 06/24/11
Warning ... Bazzo at Work! 