NEWS AND ISSUES
Tom Duane in the News
The following are excerpts from recent news stories citing Senator Duane.
New York Daily News
July 1, 2009Con Edison staff protests power company's poor wages and health benefits plan
Con Edison CEO Kevin Burke's annual wages are, without a doubt, extremely generous. But the wages of workers who clean his luxurious Manhattan office every day are not.
Burke makes a whopping $7.3 million a year, but the men and women who maintain his office and power plants are paid a meager $8.50 an hour and get no benefits...
"Although the cleaners are not direct employees of Con Edison, as a publicly regulated utility, your company has an obligation to ensure that it hires responsible contractors that employ workers at reasonable, livable wages with health benefits," state Sen. Thomas Duane wrote to Burke.
Newsday
June 26, 2009NY Senate confusion sidelines gay marriage
The paralyzing fight for control of the New York Senate has sidelined the movement for same-sex marriage indefinitely.
The measure's prime Democratic sponsors, Sen. Thomas Duane and Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell of New York City, say the issue is too important to push during the political turmoil in a Senate split 31-31. Paterson and senators question the validity of the sessions in which neither side will allow the other a 32-senator quorum needed to vote.
"I would be very resistant to the Senate voting on it until it was crystal clear the vote was legal and our action would ultimately and unquestionably make it law in New York state," Duane said. "As I've said, I think it's a terrible idea to gamble with our civil rights."
Schenectady Daily Gazette
June 21, 2009Psychologist pushes ban on torture
As a psychologist, Steven Reisner believes his job is "to do good...to improve human welfare."
Now, as a co-founder of the grassroots organization New York Campaign Against Torture, Reisner is pushing for the passage of legislation that would prohibit any licensed New York health professional from participating in interrogations or "improper treatment" of prisoners...
The legislation was proposed by Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, D-Manhattan, and Senator Tom Duane, D-Manhattan. It was proposed in 2008 but only recently picked up a sponsor in the Senate.
New York Daily News Daily Politics Blog
June 12, 2009Duane: 'Zero Chance' Of Joining A GOP-Led Majority
Sen. Tom Duane, whose loyalties have been in question since he failed to show up at Sen. Malcolm Smith's post-coup press conference, called in a little while ago to set the record straight.
"There is zero chance of me becoming part of a Republican-led majority or a Republican, ever," Duane said, speaking from his Manhattan home during a brief interview.
Crains New York Business
June 4, 2009Third attempt looms to develop Pier 40
Last year, Related Cos. sought a 49-year lease and opted not to pursue developing the site when it became clear that the change wasnft forthcoming. However, many community advocates objected to the size and scope of Relatedfs proposal which included a home for Cirque du Soleil and the Tribeca Film Festival. Some state legislators' aides said there's a fear that changing the law would encourage large developments that they deem inappropriate for the park. However, last year the Trust decided that although the remaining proposal for Pier 40 was smaller– it involved a camp and marina &ndash it just wasnft viable. State Senator Tom Duane's spokesman said that while the legislator objected to Related's proposal, he didn't necessarily reject the idea of a longer lease. "We want to make sure the community is adequately consulted on any decision," he said.
MediaPost News
May 27, 2009Lawmakers Press To Extend Shield Law To Bloggers
Two New York lawmakers are pushing to revise the state's reporter shield law to include professional journalists who blog.
Currently, New York allows journalists associated with a variety of media outlets to protect confidential sources, but does not expressly mention blogs. "Unfortunately, New York state law has not caught up to the blogosphere," says State Senator Tom Duane, who introduced the bill. "This is an attempt to catch up and make sure that New York state law explicitly protects bloggers who are journalists." State Assembly member Linda Rosenthal joined Duane in proposing the measure.
New York Times City Room Blog
May 20, 2009Bill Would Extend Shield Law to Cover Bloggers
New York State,s shield law, which protects the right of news reporters to refuse to testify about information obtained through news gathering, would be extended to "journalist bloggers" under a bill introduced by State Senator Thomas K. Duane and Assemblywoman Linda B. Rosenthal, two Manhattan Democrats.
The law protects journalists from being compelled to disclose confidential information or sources in state court. (Although most states have a shield law, there is no federal equivalent, an issue that arose during the C.I.A. leak scandal, the investigation into who disclosed the identity of Valerie Plame as a covert intelligence officer.)
New York Times
May 18, 2009Opposing Rallies Over Issue of Same-Sex Marriage
With six weeks left before the State Legislature adjourns for the year, gay rights advocates remain short of the support they need in the Senate, and there is an increasing sense among those who support same-sex marriage that time is running out...
The Assembly passed a same-sex marriage bill last Tuesday by a margin of 89 to 52, shifting the debate to the Senate. But the bill's fate there remains uncertain. So far gay rights advocates have received commitments from about 25 of the 62 senators. As many as four Democrats could vote against the bill, and no Republicans have said publicly that they would support it.
"There are 18 days left in the Senate session," said Thomas K. Duane, the Senate's only openly gay member. "I need your help."
New York Daily News
May 14, 2009Politicians urges tax breaks to lure biotech companies to New York City
A group of city and state legislators is out to woo the biotech industry away from the likes of Boston and San Diego by offering valuable tax breaks.
"Why aren't we already the biotech leader in this country?" asked Council Speaker Christine Quinn in announcing a push to attract - or expand - biotech companies to the five boroughs with $3 million in tax breaks a year...
She was joined at a City Hall press conference by several other Council members, state Sen. Tom Duane (D-Manhattan) and Assemblyman Mark Weprin (D-Queens).
The two state legislators are sponsoring Albany bills authorizing the tax breaks.
Albany Times Union
May 13, 2009A step toward gay vows?
Until this year, Republicans who controlled the Senate refused to bring gay marriage to a vote.
But now, with the Senate in Democratic hands by a 32-30-seat margin, gay rights proponents have renewed their push.
There are complications. Senate Democratic Majority Leader Malcolm Smith has repeatedly said he won't bring the measure to the floor until he's sure he has the 32 votes needed for passage. The votes, he's added, aren't yet apparent.
But Tom Duane, the Manhattan Democrat leading the gay marriage push in the Senate, said he's sure there will be enough votes, including some from Republican lawmakers.
With Assembly passage, Duane said "the logjam will be over."
"There will be some 'me-tooism,' " Duane added.
Albany Times Union
May 6, 2009Mother's Day wish to better lives of women in prison
Legislators and advocates for women behind bars in New York used the proximity of Mother's Day to push for three bills designed to improve the status of the state's prison population and, by extension, their families...
State Sen. Tom Duane, who is sponsoring the third bill in his chamber, apologized for arriving late to the news conference Tuesday at the Capitol, but brought news: The health monitoring measure had passed the Senate Health committee, and was headed to Finance. That announcement was greeted with applause and tears from the advocates, a group that included many women who had put their lives together after being released from prison.
Poughkeepsie Journal
May 5, 2009Universal health insurance bill introduced
Two lawmakers today introduced a bill to provide government-financed universal health insurance in New York. But a vote on the proposal this year is unlikely...
Although the bill is still a long shot to be enacted, it does have this year for the first time a majority-party sponsor in the Senate, Health Committee Chairman Tom Duane, D-Manhattan. And the state Medical Society, while not endorsing the bill, does favor getting coverage for the uninsured and providing more competition to private insurers.
WCBS-TV
May 1, 2009State Sens. Hit St. Francis For Swine Flu Briefing
St. Francis Preparatory School, the first location in the Tri-State where cases were confirmed as swine flu, is still closed.
But that didn't stop a trio of New York State Senators from confidently walking into the Catholic high school Friday morning for a briefing with health officials.
NY Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, flanked by state Sens. Toby Ann Stavisky and Tom Duane, joined the NYC Health Department at the school to speak about the swine flu outbreak.
The Buffalo News
April 22, 2009Approval predicted for medical marijuana
Long-stalled efforts to permit the medicinal use of marijuana in this state appear to have a good chance of passage before lawmakers end their session in June. It would make New York the 15th state to legalize the drug for medical reasons...
Backers say this is the first time the Assembly and Senate have had the same versions of medical marijuana bills. They note its Senate sponsor – Sen. Thomas K. Duane, a Manhattan Democrat – is chairman of the Health Committee, which has oversight of the matter.
Duane predicted the bill will pass with Democratic and Republican backing, saying: gThis is about compassion. This is about medicine. This is not about politics.h
WNYC Radio
April 22, 2009Bill Sponsor Confident About Legalizing Medical Marijuana
REPORTER: For the first time, identical bills to legalize the use of medical marijuana for New Yorkers with certain chronic diseases are sponsored in both the Assembly and the Senate. Both houses are now controlled by Democrats. But Senate sponsor and health committee chair Tom Duane says the issue goes beyond politics.
DUANE: This is about compassion. This is about medicine.
REPORTER: Senator Duane says he believes the bill will have enough bipartisan votes to eventually pass in the Senate. Another factor in the bill's favor: the federal government under President Obama will no longer attempt to prosecute states that legalize the use of marijuana for medical needs.
Newsday
April 21, 2009Sex-abuse legislation gains backing
ALBANY – The National Organization for Women and a prominent group of African-American clergy threw their support Monday behind a controversial bill that would temporarily lift the statute of limitations on lawsuits alleging sexual abuse of children.
The legislation sponsored by Assemb. Margaret M. Markey (D- Maspeth) and State Sen. Thomas Duane (D- Manhattan), would give people alleging abuse as children a special one-year window to file suit in civil court, regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred. The statute of limitations on future cases also would be extended.
Albany Times Union
April 16, 2009New York's fight for equality
Today marks this change in the quest for equality. It's not about counting benefits as much as it's counting votes. Mr. Paterson needs a majority of the 62-member Senate. So do all the New Yorkers – gays and heterosexuals, singles and couples – who share his commitment to fairness.
Sen. Tom Duane, D-Manhattan, the leading advocate of same-sex marriage in the Senate, predicts passage with votes to spare. We'd settle for any margin sufficient to remove one more barrier of discrimination.
New York Daily News
April 16, 2009Finally, courage emerges in Albany over gay marriage debate
"This, I think, will be the defining moment in the governor's career," said Sen. Thomas Duane, the openly gay Manhattan pol who has gamely introduced a marriage equality bill year after year since 2001, only to see it die without so much as a vote in the state Senate.
"I believe that we can win this year," he told me. "I don't want to lose, and I don't think the gov can afford to lose right now."
New York Daily News
April 16, 2009Finally, courage emerges in Albany over gay marriage debate
"This, I think, will be the defining moment in the governor's career," said Sen. Thomas Duane, the openly gay Manhattan pol who has gamely introduced a marriage equality bill year after year since 2001, only to see it die without so much as a vote in the state Senate.
"I believe that we can win this year," he told me. "I don't want to lose, and I don't think the gov can afford to lose right now."
The New York Times
April 15, 2009Governor to Submit Bill Legalizing Gay Marriage
Gov. David A. Paterson plans to introduce legislation on Thursday to make marriage between same-sex couples legal in New York, advancing his push for greater rights for gay men and lesbians, at a time when other states have done so.
...Once the Assembly acts, it will be up to Senate Democrats, who control the chamber 32 to 30, to decide whether to bring it to the floor for a vote. Some in the Senate, including its only openly gay member, Thomas K. Duane, have said they want the bill to be voted on only if its passage is certain.
...But Mr. Duane said that he had assurances from some Republicans that they would vote for the bill. He declined to name them.
Still, Mr. Duane said that while the governor's bill was an important gesture, it could end up being ultimately just that.
"It's still only paper, words, unless we all fight to make it a reality," he said.
CNN.com
April 14, 2009New York governor to propose legalizing same-sex marriage
Gov. David Paterson will announce plans Thursday to introduce same-sex marriage legislation in the state Assembly, according to an assemblyman who was asked to be present for the announcement.
... The bill's chief supporter in the Senate, Democratic state Sen. Thomas Duane, said Paterson "knows how hard it is to pass this kind of legislation."
"He worked to try to pass hate crime legislation for many years," Duane said. "I know how strongly the governor feels about this kind of civil rights legislation."
Paterson has previously said he is committed to bringing "full marriage equality in New York State."
The Daily News
April 5, 2009Boon for tenants bane for landlords
More than 300,000 New York tenants could reap the rewards of a major court ruling that bars landlords who got special tax breaks from pushing apartments out of rent control.
The ruling found thousands of tenants have been overpaying for years and may be entitled to huge refunds...
Meanwhile, a group of 15 city and state lawmakers urged the state Division of Housing and Community Renewal to notify every tenant in a tax break building of the court decision.
And they urged the agency to temporarily freeze all applications to deregulate more rent stabilized apartments when rents reach $2,000 and household income is $175,000 or more.
"Tenants may lose their homes because they don't know the ramifications of this," state Sen. Tom Duane(D-Manhattan) said. gIt's DHCR's responsibility to protect the rights of tenants, not just landlords.h
The West Side Spirit
April 2, 2009Duane Still Pushing Access-A-Ride Bill
The MTA may have nixed the Access-A-Ride fare hike proposal from its "doomsday budget" approved by the board on March 25, but State Sen. Tom Duane is still pushing for his bill – sponsored in the Assembly by Micah Kellner – that prevents transit authorities from charging disabled riders to pay a higher rate than standard mass transit riders.
"Assembly Member Micah Kellner and I are pleased that the MTA appears to have heeded our call and abandoned its inequitable hike on NYC Transit Access-A-Ride fares," Duane said in a statement. "It is equally unjust, however, that in Buffalo, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority charges disabled paratransit users double the usual fare, and that in Albany, the Capital District Transportation Authority charges them nearly 50 percent more. Clearly, more work needs to be done."
The Journal News
March 24, 2009State offers prescription-drug discount program
The state is offering prescription-drug discount cards for New Yorkers who are disabled, too young to receive Medicare or who make too much money to get Medicaid, the governor and legislative leaders announced yesterday...
The state is using its bargaining power with drug companies to get the discounts, officials said. Participants may see higher discounts as more pharmaceutical manufacturers join the program.
"New Yorkers should not sacrifice good health just because they can't afford it," said Senate Health Committee Chairman Thomas Duane, D-Manhattan.
Smith Alumnae Quarterly
Spring 2009Justice for mothers
"In any other area of life, a woman who suspects abuse would be considered a bad mother if she didn't bring her concerns to officials, but when you're in a divorce or custody battle and you raise the issue, you're considered suspect," says [Bridgit] Marks.
Outraged, she eventually met with New York State Assemblyman Jonathan Bing and Senator Tom Duane (D-NY) and persuaded them to help craft and pass a new law that would protect concerned mothers. Signed in September by New York Governor David Paterson, "Bridget's Law" does just that. It states that a person cannot be penalized in custody cases for making a good faith effort to protect herself or her child against abuse. "This legislation seeks to level the playing field so that a woman has the ability to raise this issue legitimately without fear of being punished by losing her children," Duane says.
Albany Times Union
March 19, 2009Panel advances bill on lapsed sex cases
A bill that would allow for the reopening of lapsed cases of sexual abuse of children is moving to both legislative chambers despite strong opposition from religious organizations fearing bankruptcy if alleged victims get an extension on the statute of limitations to sue...
The bill creates a one-year window of opportunity to revive a "dead" case if the claim comes with a certificate from a professional, such as a psychologist, who opines that the alleged victim probably was subjected to one or more acts of child sexual abuse.
The legislation, which was put forward by Assemblywoman Margaret M. Markey, D-Queens, and Sen. Thomas Duane, D-Manhattan, also calls for extending the civil statute of limitations for an injury or condition as a result of the felony of incest or use of a child in a sex act. Such suits would be permissible under the new law if filed five years after a person turns 23, instead of five years after turning 18, as is the case now.
New York Times
March 12, 2009Religious Leaders Battle Abuse Bill in New York
Roman Catholic and Orthodox Jewish officials in New York are mounting an intense lobbying effort to block a bill before the State Legislature that would temporarily lift the statute of limitations for lawsuits alleging the sexual abuse of children...
Senator Thomas K. Duane, a Manhattan Democrat and the bill's lead sponsor in the Senate, said he was "extremely optimistic" about its chances.
He said that opponents' claims of unfairness were not compelling, and that warnings of bankruptcy for religious institutions, which he dismissed as unlikely, missed the point.
"It's not about money," he said. "It's about giving people the right to seek justice."
Gay City News
March 8, 2009Manhattan DA Pledges to Investigate Gay Men's Prostitution Arrests
Activists who met with Robert Morgenthau report that the district attorney said he would investigate the 2008 prostitution arrests of at least 30 gay and bisexual men in at least six Manhattan porn shops, and may dismiss the cases against five of the men who are contesting the charges...
The meeting was convened by State Senator Thomas K. Duane who, activists said, was an effective advocate.
"I thought Tom Duane was very, very strong in putting out the lay of the land," Nelson said. "He called it homophobic... He said it was a set-up."
New York Post
March 7, 2009Don't Hike Disabled Fares: Pols
Two politicians want to derail the MTA's plan to hike fares on transit riders who are disabled. Assemblyman Micah Kellner and Sen. Thomas Duane have filed a bill that would outlaw any transit system – including the MTA – from increasing Access-a-Ride fares more than the price of regular subway and bus rides. If the MTA doesn't get a state-backed bailout, it has to close a $1.2 billion budget gap by cutting dozens of bus and some subway lines and drastically hiking fares.
The Journal News
March 3, 2009Group wants more funding for community, migrant and homeless health care
With the economy in crisis, more people are losing their jobs and health benefits and will be turning to local clinics for services, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, told members of the Community Health Care Association, who were at the Capitol to lobby lawmakers on the state budget...
Senate Health Committee Chairman Thomas Duane, D-Manhattan, told the association he felt particularly bad about 2008-09 budget reductions that hurt community health centers and wants to "try to make it better."
"I can't promise that I can deliver that, but I just want you to know that on the inside, I'll be fighting as hard as I possibly can becau tough that was for all of you," he said."
Newsday
February 15, 2009LI hospitals seek relief from stimulus package
Like other Long Island hospital administrators, Ockers is pinning his hopes on the federal stimulus package. The bill includes about $11 billion in federal money for New York over 27 months in the form of increased Medicaid reimbursements.
Ockers was among hospital administrators who met recently with Democratic Reps. Tim Bishop and Carolyn McCarthy to discuss their concerns. Bishop said some of that money should go to the hospitals that are facing a "remarkably challenged environment."
But how to use the federal money will be up to the state. The governor has not said how much of the Medicaid money will go to the hospitals or whether it will be used to plug other budget gaps.
"It cannot all go to hospitals," said state Sen. Thomas Duane (D-Manhattan), the new chairman of the Senate Health Committee. "There are too many needs."
New York Times
February 15, 2009Among Gay Men, Arrests Spark Concern About Being Singled Out
Staff members of City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, State Senator Thomas K. Duane, other elected officials, activists and the commanding officer of the Police Department's vice squad, Brian Conroy, met on Wednesday at City Council offices to discuss the police activities.
"I have been an elected official for quite a while, and this is the first time I have heard of such a large cluster of anything like this," said Senator Duane, who represents parts of Manhattan and who, like Ms. Quinn, is openly gay. "And it is the first time middle-aged men are being arrested for prostitution," particularly odd, he added, when none of them had prior arrests for anything.
New York Daily News
February 13, 2009Voice of the People: Fordham's Future
Manhattan: Contrary to the suggestion in your editorial ("Ram this one through", Feb. 9), most West Siders and their elected representatives want Fordham University and its Lincoln Center campus to thrive. However, there is no good reason its worthy redevelopment cannot be accomplished as-of-right within existing requirements, or with minimal zoning changes.
Thomas K. Duane, New York State Senator, 29th District
New York Times
February 9, 2009For Supporters of Gay Marriage, a Dashing of Great Expectations
"...A gay marriage bill, which passed the Assembly in 2007 and has the backing of Gov. David A. Paterson, was among the issues that Democrats were expected to press once they took the majority...
"...I haven't given up hope that it's going to happen," said Senator Thomas K. Duane, a Manhattan Democrat. "We're still counting votes and lobbying. Ifd say the situation is very fluid."
City Limits
January 26, 2009Trauma Treatment For Foster Kids Gets Reprieve
Launched during the brief Spitzer administration, Bridges to Health takes advantage of a waiver in federal Medicaid law allowing states to create community care for people with disabilities. The program started with 300 children from Rochester, Albany, and New York City, with the goal to reach 3,305 children statewide within three years. While some children have medical conditions like cancer or HIV, and others have permanent developmental disabilities, most fall into the category of severe emotional disturbance...
Such intensive services do not come cheap &ndash Bridges to Health costs about $52,000 per child per year – but they are a bargain compared to the average $185,000 price tag for residential care. In addition, the federal government foots half the bill. Nonetheless, last August, amidst a darkening fiscal climate, the state proposed freezing the funding. gWe were in disbelief,h said Weber. gThe hardest part was telling families we might not be there tomorrow.h
...A lobbying effort ensued, drawing on the support of State Senator Tom Duane and Assembly Member Micah Kellner, both of Manhattan. In December the governorfs budget restored Bridges to Health funding for 610 children, the original enrollment goal for this fiscal year. For the next two fiscal years, the state will spend $61 million on the program; assuming the fiscal situation improves, enrollment will resume sometime in 2011. The goal of reaching 3,305 children is now set for 2013, costing approximately $84 million..
WNYC Radio
January 10, 2009Gay Marriage Bill Likely to Come up in State Senate
Newly elected state Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith says it's only a matter of time before a bill to legalize gay marriage comes up for discussion.
REPORTER: The Queens Democrat says most likely it'll be legislation sponsored by Manhattan Senator Tom Duane.
SMITH: So I imagine at an appropriate time Senator Duane has a bill he may want to bring up in conference and we'll see what the members do.
Chelsea Now
January 2 - 15, 2009Deep Impact: Budget meeting reveals frightening reality
To keep their constituents informed and get feedback, local elected officials held the first in a series of town hall meetings on the statefs budget crisis. On Thursday, Jan. 8, at the Hudson Guildfs Fulton Senior Center on Ninth Ave. in Chelsea, State Sen. Tom Duane and Assemblymember Richard Gottfried also didnft mince words, telling the crowd of more than a hundred that New York is facing a deficit of at least $12.5 billion...
"We need to make sure that New York's most vulnerable are not the hardest hit in the budget," Duane cautioned. The senator, the new Chair of the Senate Health Committee, is keenly aware of the threat to health services statewide.
