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<P class=MsoBodyText
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto"><FONT
face=Arial><B><U>Time Keeps on Ticking:</U></B><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There are only two session days left in
this year’s regular Legislative Session, and Timothy’s Law has moved its way
into the limelight.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt"><FONT face=Arial>Discussions are proceeding
between the two houses at a fast and furious pace, and both sides have expressed
a desire to come to an agreement on Timothy’s Law this year.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Assembly has already passed
Timothy’s Law (A.8301/S.5329). <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As
was reported last week, the Senate has expressed an unwillingness to pass
Timothy’s Law (S.5329), and has instead introduced another version of mental
health parity (S.7296-a) that would exempt business with 50 or fewer employees,
cover a very limited number of illnesses, and exclude parity based coverage for
chemical dependency.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>One of the
numerous illnesses that the Senate bill (S.7296-a) excludes is Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD), which means that it would not cover survivors of
September 11, among others.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt"><o:p><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Although Tom O’Clair has declared
that the Senate bill (S.7296-a) is not Timothy’s Law, it was reported in last
week’s Albany <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Times Union</I> that
Senator Joseph Bruno was calling the Senate’s version of the bill Timothy’s Law
in a letter to his constituents (see article below).<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When asked about this incident, his
colleague, Senator Tom Libous, the sponsor of both the new bill
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">(S.7296-a) and Timothy’s Law
(S.5329), said, <SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"In the generic,
everyone is calling it Timothy's Law. It's a mental health parity bill.
Unfortunately, that is what happens when you name laws after individuals."
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Despite
last week’s article, it was reported by CapitolWire today that Senate Majority
Leader Joseph Bruno has identified Timothy’s Law as among the many pieces of
legislation that he would like to see resolved.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However, he went on to note that if
negotiations do not result in action, </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">“…we're going to pass a number of
these bills so the constituency knows where we stand."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">As
is evidenced by the O’Clair family’s refusal to identify S.7296-a as Timothy’s
Law and their comments in last week’s article, it is clear that there is no
‘generic’ version of Timothy’s Law, and advocates and the O’Clair’s continue to
maintain that Timothy’s Law is A.8301/ S.5329. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">We now need to send a message to
Senator Bruno that we want him to pass Timothy’s Law (S.5329), not a watered
down version that does not cover 80% of New Yorkers. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Tom O’Clair has made it clear that the
Senate’s current stance on mental health parity is “a far cry from Timothy’s
Law”, and after last week’s incident with the Senate choosing to call their bill
Timothy’s Law, it is more important than ever that we send the message that they
need to pass, S5329.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Anything else is just smoke and
mirrors. <SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=publishinfo style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B><U><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">ACTION
NEEDED!!!<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><IMG height=207 hspace=12
src="cid:086383321@18062004-07DC" width=161 align=left
v:shapes="_x0000_s1026"><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">Ø<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Call Senator Bruno’s today,
Monday and Tuesday – 518-455-3191.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">Ø<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Call Senator Libous’ today,
Monday and Tuesday – 518-455-2677. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">Ø<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Call your Senator today,
Monday and Tuesday using the Senate switchboard –
518-455-2800<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">Ø<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">E-mail these same Senators –
<A
href="http://www.mhanys.org/policy/advtlc.php">http://www.mhanys.org/policy/advtlc.php</A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B><I><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></I></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><I><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Demand that the Senate not
come home without<SPAN class=086383321-18062004> </SPAN>passing <U>Timothy’s
Law</U> (S.5329)!!<o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Please,
Do it for </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Timothy…<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN class=inside-head1><U><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14.5pt"><o:p><SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"><STRONG><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></STRONG></SPAN></o:p></SPAN></U></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN class=inside-head1><U><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14.5pt"><STRONG><FONT
face=Arial></FONT></STRONG></SPAN></U></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN class=inside-head1><U><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14.5pt"><STRONG><FONT
face=Arial></FONT></STRONG></SPAN></U></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN class=inside-head1><U><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14.5pt"><STRONG><FONT face=Arial>In the
News:<o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></SPAN></U></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><I><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><STRONG> </STRONG></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><I><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></I><B><I><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">'Timothy's Law' mailing criticized
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><I><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Parents protest use of son's name in GOP letter
touting Senate version of bill <o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">By
James M. Odato<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Capitol Bureau <BR>First
published: Friday, June 11, 2004<o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><I><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></I></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City><st1:place><B><I><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Albany--</SPAN></I></B></st1:place></st1:City><B><I><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </SPAN></I></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">The
parents of Timothy O'Clair say they're offended that state Senate Republicans
are using their son's name on a revised mental health bill they don't support.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">The
O'Clairs, who back an Assembly bill that would require insurers to pick up costs
of mental health and substance abuse treatments, objected Thursday to letters
sent out by Senate Republicans to constituents touting their "Timothy's Law"
legislation. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Senate
Majority Leader Joseph Bruno used the boy's name twice in a June 7 letter to a
Ballston Spa constituent. The letters say the Senate version "would provide
parity in insurance coverage for mental illnesses." <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"They
do not have my or my wife's blessing in referring to it as Timothy's Law," said
Tom O'Clair, of </SPAN><st1:City><st1:place><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Rotterdam</SPAN></st1:place></st1:City><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">.
He said it appears Republicans are trying to gain approval from their
constituents. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">O'Clair
and other advocates of the measure that was passed the last two years in the
Assembly do not consider the Senate version worthy of Timothy's name. Under the
Senate version, only "biologically based mental illnesses" and children with
attention deficit or disruptive behavior disorder would have to be covered by
employer health plans. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Letter
recipient Mary Jean Coleman, who is executive director of
</SPAN><st1:place><st1:PlaceName><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Samaritan</SPAN></st1:PlaceName><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">
</SPAN><st1:PlaceName><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Suicide</SPAN></st1:PlaceName><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">
</SPAN><st1:PlaceName><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Prevention</SPAN></st1:PlaceName><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">
</SPAN><st1:PlaceType><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Center</SPAN></st1:PlaceType></st1:place><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">,
was also upset. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">“I
was infuriated because not only does it refer to Timothy's Law, but as a
constituent ... if I was an average citizen, I would view it as Senator Bruno
putting out a letter to his constituents that the Senate is doing some wonderful
thing." <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">"I
do not view this as Timothy's Law," she said, adding that she was also
distressed that the O'Clairs' last name was misspelled. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Assembly
sponsor Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, said the Senate's bill "is their version of
parity, but it's not Timothy's Law." <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">He
and Sen. Thomas Libous, R-Binghamton, have been working on ways to address the
parity issue for two years. Libous said Thursday he is confident an agreement
will be reached because talks are going on at high levels of both chambers.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">As
for Bruno's use of Timothy's name, he said: "In the generic, everyone is calling
it Timothy's Law. It's a mental health parity bill. Unfortunately, that is what
happens when you name laws after individuals." <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">A
spokesman for Bruno said the Senate "is very sensitive to the concerns raised in
this issue; it's something we are committed to addressing."
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">The
Senate has been trying to avoid a sweeping measure that would cause insurance
premiums to rise substantially. The Senate would allow exemptions, including one
for employers with fewer than 51 employees. The Assembly's "Timothy's Law" would
mandate coverage for substance abusers as well as mentally ill.<SPAN
class=inside-head1><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Pataki, Leaders Say They
Want to Pass a Few Important Bills by Tuesday. No deal on budget,
CFE</SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt">By Kyle Hughes Capitol
Wire </SPAN><st1:date Month="6" Day="17" Year="2004"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt">June 17, 2004</SPAN></st1:date></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Gov. George Pataki and legislative
leaders declared today they would try to pass at least a few important bills
before adjourning on June 22. They said they remain deadlocked over the budget
and CFE. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Following the second leaders meeting
in three days, they said they still cannot reach three-way deals on a $100
million state budget or a unified response to the July 30 court-imposed deadline
for fixing the school funding formula. When Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno
and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver announced they hoped to pass a few bills of
substance by Tuesday, reporters concluded that they were anxious to avoid
leaving town without acting on any major legislation this session.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Pataki is sending the Senate and
Assembly emergency spending bill to keep government operating until Aug. 1, and
no return for session is contemplated until the July 30 Campaign for Fiscal
Equity CFE court decision deadline looms. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno
said the bills he was focusing on for passage before the final gavel falls
Tuesday were Rockefeller Drug Laws, HAVA voting reform,<B> </B><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Timothy's Law</SPAN>, power plant siting,
Patriot Act II, Anti-Terrorism II, and money laundering. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The drug laws reform measure was the
biggest item on the agenda. Legislators have been trying without success for
years to change the laws, and convened a conference committee that worked
fruitlessly on the issue this session. But Bruno said now "we think we're close
enough so that we can conclude three ways and do it by Tuesday. That would be
historic." <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Bruno said reaching agreements on
bills that until now have remained side issues in the budget, healthcare and
education debate may be difficult. "Frankly if we can't agree three ways we're
going to pass a number of these bills so the constituency knows where we stand."
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">On another big issue that was in
play until this week, Bruno said he would not support weakening the indoor
smoking ban law. "We did the smoking bill to begin with because about 430,000
people a year die from smoking & smoking kills," Bruno said.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Bruno had little to say about a stem
cell research bill such as the one that passed the Assembly Thursday. "We don't
want to inhibit what's going on," he said. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver told
reporters that his list of bill to do before Tuesday was Rockefeller Drug Laws,
HAVA and <SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Timothy's Law</SPAN>. "I'm
confident we can get a lot of the substance done by the close of business next
Tuesday," he said. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">He blamed Pataki for the
nonproductive nature of the 2004 session. He described the atmosphere as
"contentious, politically partisan from the second floor, specifically. Some of
the rhetoric has been more partisan than it has ever been before."
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Pataki called the session "abysmal.
Simple basic proposals that are uncontroversial have lapsed and lingered in the
Assembly." <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"I would just hope over the course
of the next five days, we will be able to shut down a lot of these discussions
and see results," Pataki said. He said about two dozen non-controversial but
important bills are awaiting passage in the Assembly. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Press secretary Joe Conway later
handed out to reporters a list of 15 bills that passed the Senate this year with
no Assembly action to date: <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">* Patriot Plan II (S.6464) *
Anti-terrorism II (S.3-A) * Expanded DNA database (S.5554) * Eliminating statute
of limitations for rape and violent felonies (S.5554) * Gun trafficking
S.3508-A) * Pena-Herrera DWI reform (S.4869-A) * Deadly drivers (S.6541) *
Tamiqua's Law (life without parole for child murder S.5388-A) * Civil
commitment of sex offenders (S.5556) * Megan's Law enhancements (S.6624) * Gang
rape (S.5396-A) * Repeat misdemeanors (S.5555) * Child pornography (S.5707-A).
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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