[ THEME MUSIC ] >> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S ENATION OF "NEW YORK NOW."

I'M ELISE KLINE.

THIS WEEK IN ALBANY, THE GREAT WAIT BEGINS, WHICH MEANS MEETINGS AND NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE CHAMBER AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ARE UNDERWAY ABOUT THE FINALIZATION OF THE STATE BUDGET.

THE FINAL BUDGET IS DUE APRIL 1ST, BUT WITH THREE LATE BUDGETS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, THE QUESTION LOOMS: HOW LONG WILL THE BUDGET TAKE THIS YEAR?

SOME STATE LEADERS HAVE EXPRESSED THAT LESS POLICY IN THE STATE BUDGET THIS YEAR THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS COULD MEAN LESS OF A DELAY.

WITH BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN LEADERS OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY, IT IS AN IMPORTANT TIME FOR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, LAWMAKERS, AND THE GOVERNOR TO SORT OUT THEIR PRIORITIES.

WHILE THIS MONTH MARKS AN IMPORTANT TIME FOR THE STATE BUDGET, IT ALSO MARKS THE ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.

THIS WEEK, WE SAT DOWN WITH STATE SENATE WOMEN'S ISSUES COMMITTEE CHAIR, LEA WEBB, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING BINGHAMTON, TO TALK ABOUT HER LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES IN AND OUTSIDE OF THE STATE BUDGET, SUCH AS MATERNAL MORTALITY, ABORTION, MEDICATION, REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE AND MORE.

MATERNAL MORTALITY CURRENTLY IN NEW YORK STATE IS A SIGNIFICANT CRISIS, WHERE BLACK WOMEN FACE RISKS OF BEING FOUR TO FIVE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE FROM PREGNANCY-RELATED COMPLICATIONS THAN WHITE WOMEN.

STATE LAWMAKERS WANT TO TRY AND REDUCE THESE ODDS AND IMPROVE RACIAL DISPARITIES.

WE SAT DOWN WITH THE STATE SENATOR TO UNPACK ABOUT HOW THE STATE PLANS TO TACKLE THESE ISSUES.

HERE'S THAT CONVERSATION.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SITTING DOWN WITH US, SENATOR.

>> THANK YOU.

MY PLEASURE.

SO WE'RE ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH SESSION AT THIS POINT, I WANT TO START BY TALKING ABOUT WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIES FOR THE-- YOU KNOW, AS THE WOMEN'S ISSUES CHAIR?

>> IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT WE ARE AT THE HALFWAY POINT FOR SESSION, BUT AS THE CHAIR OF WOMEN'S ISSUES, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING QUITE A BIT.

WE'VE HAD TWO COMMITTEE MEETINGS SO FAR, AND A LOT OF THE BILLS THAT HAVE COME THROUGH THE COMMITTEE ARE, AGAIN, IN ALIGNMENT WITH OUR PRIORITIES, WHICH IS TO CONTINUE TO ADDRESS VERY REAL CHALLENGES AROUND MATERNAL MORTALITY RATES, ALSO EXPANDING ACCESS TO MATERNAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES, ALONG WITH ENSURING THAT NEW YORK CONTINUES TO BE A GREAT STATE THAT PROVIDES ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

>> CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT THE CONVERSATIONS IN THE COMMITTEE HAVE LOOKED LIKE ON MATERNAL MORTALITY?

I KNOW THAT IS SOMETHING THAT COMES UP EVERY YEAR.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BARRIERS?

>> I'LL APPROACH IT FROM A COUPLE STANDPOINTS.

ONE, IN THE ACTUAL COMMITTEE, ITSELF, WE HAVE BILLS THAT HAVE MOVED THROUGH AND ARE LOOKING AHEAD AND WILL CONTINUE TO COME THROUGH THE COMMITTEE TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO MATERNAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

FOR INSTANCE, I HAVE A BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE INSURANCE COMPANIES TO COVER TRANSPORTATION COSTS FOR BIRTHING MOTHERS WHO HAVE TO HAVE THEIR CHILD TRANSPORTED TO, LET'S SAY, LIKE A SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL BECAUSE THEY ARE A SPECIAL NEEDS-- IT'S A SPECIAL NEEDS BIRTH LIKE NICU UNIT.

AND SO PARENTS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO COVER THAT COST TO BE ABLE TO STAY WITH THEIR CHILD.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THE BILLS.

THE SECOND SPACE COMES FROM-- WE HAD OUR BUDGET HEARINGS AND I ASK THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE INITIATIVES THAT THE STATE IS DOING BEYOND JUST LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE MATERNAL HEALTH OUTCOMES, SO THE COMMISSIONERS SHARED THAT THERE ARE 19 DIFFERENT INITIATIVES AND THAT THEY HAVE INCREASED FUNDING AROUND CLOSE TO, I THINK, 30 MILLION AND SO I AM FOLLOWING UP WITH THE COMMISSIONER IN TRYING TO MAKE SURE NOT ONLY WITH RESPECT TO THOSE INITIATIVES BUT ALSO MAKING SURE THAT THOSE DOLLARS ARE GOING TO OUR COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE SOME OF THE HIGHEST NEEDS.

I HAVE A RURAL AND URBAN DISTRICT THAT HAS CHALLENGES AROUND ACCESSING SPECIALIZED CARE, LET ALONE MATERNAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT AS A STATE THROUGH THE BUDGET, THROUGH POLICIES THAT WE ARE CONTINUING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, FOLKS OFTEN ARE SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT NEW YORK IN THE NATIONAL TRAJECTORY AROUND THIS ISSUE, WE HAVE SOME OF THE HIGHEST MATERNAL MORTALITY RATES IN THE COUNTRY.

WE'RE NUMBER 28, COMBINED WITH WHEN YOU FACTOR IN RACIAL AND ETHNIC DEMOGRAPHICS, BLACK WOMEN ARE NINE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE WHILE GIVING BIRTH IN NEW YORK AND SO THESE INITIATIVES THAT THE COMMISSIONER LIFTED UP MOST CERTAINLY ISSUES THROUGH POLICY THAT WE'RE WORKING ON.

>> AND HOW CAN WE GET THERE IN TERMS OF-- YOU KNOW, I NOSE THAT'S AN ISSUE.

I NOTICED THROUGH MY OWN REPORTING OF, YOU KNOW, I'VE INTERVIEWED MOTHERS WHO PASSED AWAY DURING CHILDBIRTH BECAUSE THEY HAD COMPLICATIONS THAT CAME UP, BUT THEY HAD VOICED THEIR CONCERNS EARLY ON IN THEIR PREGNANCY.

HOW AS A LEGISLATIVE BODY CAN WE ADDRESS WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT WITH THE CULTURE THERE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

LAST YEAR, MY BILL, WHICH IS NOW A LAW, THAT ESTABLISHED A MATERNAL HEALTH OUTCOMES AND BIRTHING WORKGROUP IS DESIGNED TO DO JUST THAT.

IT IS DESIGNED TO NOT ONLY PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR MOTHERS AND BIRTHING PEOPLE TO NOT ONLY SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES, BUT ALSO TO GET MORE ACCESS TO RESOURCES.

SO WHETHER IT'S DOULAS, MIDWIVES AND ALSO UNPACKING WHAT CONTINUES TO BE BARRIERS AND IMPROVING ACCESS.

WE ALSO-- ONE OF MY OTHER BILLS THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO PASS, IT IS A PILOT.

THE GOVERNOR HAS STARTED THE PILOT PROGRAM, BUT WE'RE ACTUALLY LOOKING TO MAKE IT PERMANENT.

SO MY LEGISLATION IS DOING THAT TO ESTABLISH A MOBILE APP FOR MOTHERS AND BIRTHING PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO NOT ONLY TRACK THEIR PROGRESS WITH THEIR PREGNANCY, BUT ALSO TO GET INFORMATION ON AVAILABLE RESOURCES WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY AND OF COURSE, THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

>> AND YOU ALSO HAVE POLICY RELATED TO TRYING TO ESTABLISH EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION VENDING MACHINES ON SUNY AND CUNY CAMPUSES.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHY YOU INTRODUCED THIS BILL AND THE IMPACT IT WOULD HAVE FOR STUDENTS AND YOUNG NEW YORKERS?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

I COME FROM HIGHER EDUCATION AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS VERY WELL DOCUMENTED IS THAT A NUMBER OF OUR COLLEGE STUDENTS, THEIR MAIN SOURCE FOR HEALTH CARE IS THROUGH THEIR RESPECTIVE CAMPUS AND SO THIS LEGISLATION THAT I CARRY WITH ASSEMBLY MEMBER GONZALEZ-ROJAS WOULD REQUIRE SUNY AND CUNY TO ESTABLISH AT LEAST ONE EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE VENDING MACHINE ON THEIR CAMPUSES.

ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR LEGISLATION IS THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CAMPUSES THAT ARE BEING LED BY STUDENT EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH SOME OF THESE VENDING MACHINES.

MY ALMA MATER, BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY, STUDENTS LED THE EFFORT FOR THAT AT THAT CAMPUS.

BUT THIS LEGISLATION WOULD NOT ONLY REQUIRE SUNY AND CUNY TO DO IT BUT ALSO PROVIDE RESOURCES.

>> AND IS THERE ANY COST ESTIMATED FOR WHAT THIS MIGHT LOOK LIKE?

>> THAT'S WHY HAVING IT SYSTEMWIDE HELPS TO REDUCE THE COST IN TERMS OF NOT ONLY ESTABLISHING BUT MAINTAINING THE MACHINES, AND WE ALSO WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WOULD BE A LOWER COST TO THE STUDENTS AND SO THIS LEGISLATION IS HELPING WITH THAT.

>> AND I KNOW THAT IT HAS PASSED THE SENATE, BUT IT HASN'T PASSED THE ASSEMBLY.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT THE EFFORTS LOOK LIKE TO EITHER TALK TO YOUR ASSEMBLY COLLEAGUES, OR WHAT KIND OF WHAT THE PUSHBACK MIGHT HAVE LOOKED LIKE?

>> SO WE HAVE PASSED IT IN THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY MEMBER GONZALEZ-ROJAS IS TRYING TO PUSH IT IN THE ASSEMBLY.

I'M HOPEFUL THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO GET IT PASSED THIS SESSION AND ULTIMATELY SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.

>> SO I WANT TO SHIFT IN 2023, YOU HELPED ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE FOR WOMEN AND MISSING GIRLS, BLACK AND INDIGENOUS, PEOPLE OF COLOR, TO KIND OF FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON AND WHAT WAYS THE STATE COULD HELP AND THAT WAS A LAW THAT WAS SIGNED IN 2023.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT THE TASK FORCE HAS COME UP WITH, IF YOU KNOW THERE'S ANY REPORTS OUT?

>> I CONTINUE TO BE ALARMED BY THE AMOUNT OF CHILDREN THAT ARE CONTINUING TO GO MISSING IN OUR STATE.

EVEN IN MY COMMUNITY, THIS IS-- THIS IS A GROWING CHALLENGE AND SO WITH THE TASK FORCE, RIGHT NOW WE'RE THERE IN AND THE PROCESS IS THAT THEY ARE LOOKING AT AND DEVELOPING POTENTIAL RECOMMENDATIONS ON BEST PRACTICES, AND SO THEY'RE-- I'M ANTICIPATING THAT THEY'LL HAVE A DRAFT OF THEIR REPORT, WHICH WILL COME OUT, I BELIEVE, THIS MONTH AND THEN THE FINAL REPORT WILL COME OUT BY JUNE, AND SO LOOKING AT THINGS IN TERMS OF SIGNAGE IN KEY AREAS, IN PUBLIC, THAT CAN RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT IF SOMEONE IS A VICTIM OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING OR MAY HAVE BEEN KIDNAPPED, LIKE WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE?

MAKING SURE THAT THERE IS CULTURAL COMPETENCY TRAINING FOR PROVIDERS AT EVERY LEVEL, LAW ENFORCEMENT, ALL OF THE KEY PROFESSIONALS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THIS SYSTEM, JUST A FEW THINGS, BUT THAT IS THE TIMEFRAME FOR THE TASK FORCE.

ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE MEASURE THAT I'M WORKING ON THAT'S CONNECTED IS TO ESTABLISH AN EBONY ALERT SYSTEM HERE IN NEW YORK.

AGAIN, THE SAME DATA THAT WE LOOKED AT IN DETERMINING THE NEED FOR ESTABLISHING THE BIPOC TASK FORCE IS VERY STILL RELEVANT BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT MINORITY CHILDREN ARE OFTEN CASTED AS OR CLASSIFIED AS RUNAWAYS AND WITH THE EBONY ALERT SYSTEM, WHAT IT WOULD DO IS PROVIDE A WAY FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN ABDUCTED, AND IT BUILDS ON THE AMBER ALERT SYSTEM.

SO IT DOESN'T REPLACE IT.

IT ALLOWS FOR FILLING IN SOME GAPS.

SO IT WOULD GO UP TO THE AGE OF 25.

WHEREAS, THE AMBER ALERT IS FOR CHILDREN 17 AND UNDER.

CALIFORNIA IS THE ONLY OTHER STATE IN THE COUNTRY THAT HAS THE EBONY ALERT SYSTEM AND SO NEW YORK WOULD BE THE SECOND ONCE WE'RE ABLE TO GET THIS LEGISLATION PASSED, AND I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR.

THIS IS LEGISLATION THAT'S LITERALLY HELPING TO SAVE CHILDREN'S LIVES.

SO-- AND IT'S DOCUMENTED VERY WELL THAT ALERT SYSTEMS REALLY ARE AN IMPORTANT TOOL IN HELPING TO FIND MISSING INDIVIDUALS.

>> AND I KNOW THE GOVERNOR, THERE WAS ALSO SOME LANGUAGE IN HER BUDGET PROPOSAL ABOUT PUTTING FUNDING IN THE FINAL STATE BUDGET FOR MEDICATION ABORTION, WHICH MANY PROVIDERS HAVE SAID IS THE NUMBER ONE USED METHOD FOR PEOPLE SEEKING ABORTIONS.

WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO SEE IN THE FINAL BUDGET?

>> I AM HOPING TO SEE THOSE FUNDS NOT ONLY ADDED BUT INCREASED BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, CURRENT DELIBERATIONS THAT'S HAPPENING NATIONALLY ON THIS ISSUE IS UNFORTUNATELY PUSHING US BACKWARDS WITH REGARDS TO IMPROVING ACCESS TO THIS WELL-DOCUMENTED MEDICATION AND SO AS A STATE, AS I SAID EARLIER, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO BE A LEADER IN THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE SPACE, BY ENSURING THAT WHETHER IT'S ACCESS TO EMERGENCY ABORTION MEDICATIONS, MOST CERTAINLY OVERALL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR OUR COMMUNITIES HERE IN OUR STATE.

>> WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SITTING DOWN WITH US.

AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH STATE SENATOR LEA WEBB, CHAIR OF WOMEN'S ISSUES COMMITTEES AND REPRESENTING THE 52ND SENATE DISTRICT.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >>> NOW TURNING TO ANOTHER IMPORTANT TOPIC.

AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, THE U.S.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY IS MAKING CHANGES TO SOME DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS PREVIOUSLY LAID OUT BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

IN RESPONSE, STATE LAWMAKERS ARE MOVING TO INCREASED PROTECTIONS FOR POLYFLUOROALKYL, OR PFAS, SUBSTANCES, BOTH IN DRINKING WATER AND CONSUMER PRODUCTS.

THIS WEEK, WE DIVE INTO WHAT LAWMAKERS' EFFORTS LOOK LIKE TO TACKLE THE ISSUE BOTH THROUGH POLICY MEASURES AND FUNDING IN THE STATE BUDGET.

HERE'S THAT STORY.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> AT A TIME WHEN THE U.S.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY IS MOVING TO ROLL BACK REGULATIONS ON POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES, OR PFAS CHEMICALS, ALSO KNOWN AS FOREVER CHEMICALS, NEW YORK STATE IS MOVING TO ESTABLISH STRONGER PROTECTIONS AND REGULATIONS.

THE STATE CURRENTLY REGULATES PFAS CHEMICALS THROUGH STRICT DRINKING WATER STANDARDS AND RULES FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INCLUDING PROTECTIONS THAT WENT INTO PLACE LAST YEAR FOR OUTDOOR WEAR.

HOWEVER, SOME STATE LAWMAKERS SAY IT IS NOW TIME FOR THE STATE TO STEP IN TO ADDRESS THE IMPACTS FROM CHANGES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

>> IT'S APPALLING WHAT'S BEING DONE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL BECAUSE THE RESEARCH THAT IS OUT IS UNEQUIVOCAL ABOUT THE NEGATIVE HEALTH EFFECTS OF PFAS ON HUMANS.

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS ESSENTIALLY GOTTEN OUT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BUSINESS, OUT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH BUSINESS, SO ITS FALLS TO STATES TO DO THIS.

>> LAST MAY, THE U.S.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ANNOUNCED ROLLING BACK AND RECONSIDERING SEVERAL PFAS DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS.

THE ROLLBACKS INCLUDE MAKING CHANGES TO MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVELS FOR FOUR TYPES OF PFAS CHEMICALS AND DELAYING COMPLIANCE FOR REGULATIONS FOR TWO OTHER TYPES OF PFAS CHEMICALS.

THE AGENCY SAYS THEY WANT TO GIVE MORE TIME FOR WATER SYSTEMS TO COMPLY WITH THEIR REGULATIONS, AND THEY ALSO WANT TO ENSURE REGULATING CERTAIN PFAS CHEMICALS DOESN'T CREATE LEGAL OBSTACLES.

IN RESPONSE, SOME STATE LAWMAKERS ARE PROPOSING TO ESTABLISH THE MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVELS FOR THESE TYPES OF F FAS CHEMICALS IN STATE LAW.

>> YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO TURN ON YOUR TAP AND EXPECT THAT YOUR WATER IS CLEAN AND NOT LADEN WITH TOXINS.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN THE PRIOR ADMINISTRATION HAD DONE SOME GREAT WORK ON THIS.

THE CURRENT FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION IS STEPPING BACK FROM THAT WORK, BUT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROTECT NEW YORK RESIDENTS ACROSS THE STATE.

NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION COMMISSIONER AMANDA LEFTON SAYS THE STATE HAS AND SHOULD TAKE ACTION ON THIS ISSUE, STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFE DRINKING WATER STANDARDS.

>> WE'RE NOT WAITING.

WE'RE NOT WAITING FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO TAKE ACTION.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO WAIT FOR THEM TO ESTABLISH DIFFERENT STANDARDS ACROSS MANY DIFFERENT ISSUES.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD WITH DIFFERENT INITIATIVES HERE.

>> LEFTON SAYS THE STATE CURRENTLY HAS CONTAMINANT LEVELS SET BY THE STATE'S DRINKING WATER QUALITY TASK FORCE, REGULATING TYPES OF PFAS CHEMICALS AT TEN PARTS PER TRILLION.

A MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL IS AN ALLOWABLE LEVEL OF CHEMICALS IN DRINKING WATER.

THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WOULD ADD REGULATIONS ON PFAS LEVELS IN DRINKING WATER AT FOUR PARTS PER TRILLION FOR TWO TYPES OF PFAS CHEMICALS, AND TEN PARTS PER TRILLION FOR THREE OTHER TYPES OF PFAS CHEMICALS.

SOME ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTS SAY THE U.S.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY'S 2024 REGULATORY STANDARDS, NOW BEING ROLLED BACK BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WERE CRAFTED WITH A LOT OF TIME AND SCIENCE-BASED KNOWLEDGE.

>> WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS FOR NEW YORK STATE TO SAY, YOU KNOW, EPA DID THE WORK.

THEY DETERMINED SAFE LEVELS IN DRINKING WATER FOR THESE SIX PFAS, AND WE'RE GOING TO ADOPT THEM AT THE STATE LEVEL BECAUSE THEY'RE BASED ON GOOD SCIENCE, EVEN IF IT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS CURRENTLY WALKING THEM BACK.

>> CONTAMINATION FROM PFAS CHEMICALS IN DRINKING WATER IS LINKED TO MANY HEALTH CONCERNS, SUCH AS INCREASED RISK OF KIDNEY AND TESTICULAR CANCERS, HYPERTENSION, AND PRE-ECLAMPSIA, CHANGES IN LIVER ENZYMES AND MORE, ACCORDING TO THE U.S.

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL.

ROBACK ADDS BECAUSE THESE CHEMICALS ARE VERY DANGEROUS AND ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO BREAK DOWN, GENERALLY EVEN SMALL EXPOSURES TO PFAS CHEMICALS CAN CAUSE HARM.

ROBACK SAYS THAT THE BEST WAY TO ADDRESS PFAS IN THE ENVIRONMENT IS TO ADDRESS DRINKING WATER CONTAMINATION.

>> ULTIMATELY, IF WE CAN LIMIT HOW MUCH CAN GO TO FOLKS IN DRINKING WATER, WE CAN REALLY CUT DOWN ON EXPOSURE.

>> THE LEGISLATION SEEMS TO HAVE SOME SUPPORT FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> WHAT I SUPPORT, AND THERE'S A PIECE OF LEGISLATION BY SEVERAL OF MY COLLEAGUES, ASSEMBLY MEMBER LEE AND SENATOR KAVANAUGH, THAT WOULD TAKE THOSE FEDERAL REGULATIONS, THE MAXIMUM CONTAMINATIONS ALLOWABLE, AND MAKE THOSE STATE LAW.

THAT IS ABSOLUTELY THE WAY TO GO BECAUSE THAT'S SCIENCE.

>> WE ON LONG ISLAND LIVE AND STAND ON A SOLE SURFACE AQUIFER, WATER QUALITY IS NOT ONLY IMPERATIVE, IT'S CRUCIAL, AND IT'S OUR PRIORITY.

AND SO I'LL CONTINUE TO MAKE HEALTH AND SAFETY AND THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR WATER QUALITY THE PRIMARY CONSIDERATION WHEN WE'RE CONSIDERING LEGISLATION HERE IN ALBANY.

>> HOWEVER, THERE ARE SOME LAWMAKERS WITH SOME CONCERNS.

STATE SENATOR GEORGE BORRELLO, A REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING PARTS OF THE FINGER LAKES WHO VOTED AGAINST THE BILL, SAYS HE WORRIES THE REGULATION, IF SIGNED INTO LAW, WOULD LEAD TO INCREASED LEGAL BATTLES FOR BUSINESSES IN THE STATE.

>> LOOK, I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN MY PRIVATE SECTOR BUSINESS WITH THESE TYPES OF FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS.

IN CALIFORNIA, PROP 65 IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THAT, WHERE THEY CREATE THESE RIDICULOUSLY LOW STANDARDS FOR ALL OF THESE CHEMICALS AND THEN ALL IT IS JUST A CASH COW FOR TRIAL LAWYERS.

>> IN A COMMENT SENT TO WMHT A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE BUSINESS COUNCIL OF NEW YORK STATE SAID THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHOULD CONTINUE TO REGULATE DRINKING WATER MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVELS AND THAT THE EPA'S QUESTIONS WERE VALID.

THE LEGISLATION IS CURRENTLY IN THE HEALTH COMMITTEE ON THE ASSEMBLY SIDE AND ON THE FLOOR CALENDAR IN THE SENATE, WHICH MEANS IT'S CLOSE TO A VOTE IN THE SENATE.

SENATOR KAVANAUGH SAYS HE BELIEVES THIS BILL WILL CROSS THE FINISH LINE BECAUSE IT PASSED THE SENATE "LAW & ORDER" LAST JUNE WITH A SMALL MARGIN OF VOTES AGAINST IT.

ASSEMBLY MEMBER GRACE LEE, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF LOWER MANHATTAN AND A LEAD SPONSOR OF THE BILL IN THE ASSEMBLY SAYS TIMING WAS THE BIG CHALLENGE FOR THIS BILL LAST YEAR.

>> THIS WAS SOMETHING WE INTRODUCED VERY LATE IN THE SESSION.

SO WE UNFORTUNATELY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO MOVE IT THROUGH THE ASSEMBLY, BUT I AM VERY COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE WE CAN GET THIS PASSED THROUGH THE ASSEMBLY THIS YEAR.

>> SOME STATE LAWMAKERS ARE ALSO LOOKING TO ADD TO THE STATE'S REGULATIONS ON CONSUMER PRODUCTS CONTAINING PFAS CHEMICALS, SUCH AS COOKWARE, CARPETS, AND CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND SURFACE MATERIALS.

THERE ARE TWO BILLS CURRENTLY MOVING THROUGH THE STATE CAPITOL.

ONE TO ADD REGULATORY RESTRICTIONS ON PFAS IN MATERIALS SUCH AS NON-STICK COOKWARE, RUGS, AND SKI WAX.

THE OTHER TO ADD REGULATORY RESTRICTIONS ON PFAS CHEMICALS IN CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND SURFACE MATERIALS.

STATE SENATOR MICHELLE HINCHEY, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF ULSTER COUNTY AND A LEAD SPONSOR OF THE BILL REGULATING PFAS CHEMICALS IN PLAYGROUND MATERIALS, SAYS THIS BILL IS SIMPLY ABOUT ENSURING SAFETY FOR CHILDREN'S HEALTH.

>> IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WHEN WE HAVE OUR KIDS, OUR KIDS ESPECIALLY, WHEN OUR KIDS ARE PLAYING ON SOMETHING OR POSSIBLY INGESTING SOMETHING, THAT THEY ARE OPERATING ON THE CLEANEST ITERATIONS OF WHAT WE CAN HAVE.

>> HINCHEY ADDS SHE'S OPTIMISTIC THIS BILL IS STRAIGHT FORWARD ENOUGH THAT MOST LEGISLATORS WILL APPROVE.

>> NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE, REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRAT, NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE, UPSTATE, DOWNSTATE, YOU SHOULD WANT YOUR KIDS TO BE PLAYING ON THE SAFEST TYPE OF EQUIPMENT WITH THE SAFEST MATERIALS.

>> WHILE MANY LAWMAKERS AREN'T VERY FAMILIAR WITH THIS BILL, SOME DEMOCRATS SAY THEY SUPPORT THE CONCEPT.

>> THE CONCEPT OF MAKING SURE OUR CHILDREN ARE SAFE WHEN THEY ARE EATING FOOD, PLAYING, JUST IN GENERAL, IS SOMETHING THAT I CARE DEEPLY ABOUT.

>> SOME STATE LAWMAKERS ACROSS THE AISLE SAY THEY COULD SUPPORT THE CONCEPT OF THE BILL, BUT ALSO FEEL IT'S IMPORTANT TO WEIGH BUSINESS COSTS.

>> THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE IN ANY POLICIES THAT WE DO, WHETHER IT'S PFAS OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE GOAL, LOOK AT THE LEGISLATIVE INTENT, AND THEN LOOK AT THE COST AND MAKE SURE THAT IT'S FAVORABLE.

>> OBVIOUSLY, WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CHILDREN.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT KIDS THAT TEND TO PUT THINGS IN THEIR MOUTHS THAT THEY SHOULDN'T.

SO IT MIGHT NEED A LITTLE DIFFERENT STANDARD.

BUT IN THE END, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT ARE THE FEDERAL STANDARDS, WHAT ARE THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, AND HOW DOES THAT COMPARE, AND THEN LET'S ALSO KEEP IN MIND ONE THING.

WHEN YOU DO ALL OF THESE THINGS, IT OFTEN RACES THE COST AND MAKES IT COST-PROHIBITIVE.

IT'S ALREADY DIFFICULT FOR MUNICIPALITIES AND SCHOOLS TO SUPPORT UPDATED PLAYGROUNDS.

>> THE BILL PASSED THE SENATE AGAIN, UNANIMOUSLY, EARLIER THIS WEEK.

HINCHEY SAYS, HOWEVER, WHERE SHE WORRIES ABOUT THE BILL IS IN THE ASSEMBLY, WHERE LAST YEAR, IT DIED IN COMMITTEE.

>> WHILE THE FUTURE OF THE BILL IN THE ASSEMBLY IS UNCLEAR, IT DOES SEEM TO HAVE SUPPORT FROM DEMOCRATS.

>> I AM VERY SUPPORTIVE OF EVERY BILL THAT IS GOING TO TAKE FOREVER CHEMICALS OUT OF THE MATERIALS THAT ARE EXPOSING OUR CHILDREN UNNECESSARILY TO TOXIC CHEMICALS.

>> WE ALREADY KNOW THAT WE HAVE THESE FOREVER KINDS OF CHEMICALS IN OUR BODIES.

WE'VE GOT TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO KEEP THEM OUT OF OUR KIDS.

NOW THAT WE KNOW THE SCIENCE, WE HAVE TO RELY ON SCIENCE TO ACTUALLY GUIDE US IN LEGISLATION SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> SENATOR HARCKHAM STRESSES THE VARIOUS BILLS LAWMAKERS ARE MOVING TO ADDRESS PFAS CHEMICALS, INCLUDING THE PLAYGROUND MATERIAL BILL, THE MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL BILL, AND THE BILL HARCKHAM SPONSORS ON PRODUCTS LIKE COOKWARE, ARE CRITICAL.

>> THE GOAL OF ALL OF THESE BILLS THAT YOU JUST MENTIONED IS TO GET PFAS OUT OF THE SYSTEM AT EVERY LEVEL.

IN THE PRE-PRODUCTION LEVEL, IN THE PRODUCTION LEVEL, IN THE CONSUMER USE LEVEL, AND THEN IN THE END-OF-LIFE CYCLE LEVEL.

WE WANT PFAS OUT OF ALL OF IT, AND THAT'S WHAT ALL THESE BILLS ARE ADDRESSED TO DO.

>> SOME STATE LAWMAKERS, LIKE STATE SENATOR RACHEL MAY, A DEMOCRAT PRESENTING SYRACUSE AND THE CHAIR OF THE CONSUMER PROTECTIONS COMMITTEE, SAY THEY FEEL STRONGLY THAT INDUSTRIES WON'T CHANGE THEIR PFAS USE UNLESS GOVERNMENT LEADERS PUSH THEM TO.

>> INSTEAD OF TRYING TO PROTECT AN INDUSTRY BECAUSE THEY SELL THESE THINGS, WE SHOULD BE STEERING THAT INDUSTRY TO SELL THINGS THAT ARE HEALTHY FOR OUR BODIES, AND I FEEL LIKE THAT'S KIND OF OUR JOB.

>> LEFTON SAYS THE DEC HAS FOUND PFAS CHEMICALS ARE PREVALENT IN NEW YORK'S ENVIRONMENT, STRESSING THE STATE MUST TACKLE GETTING IT OUT.

>> WE KNOW THAT IT IS THERE, AND WE KNOW THAT IT CAN BE HARMFUL.

SO REALLY CRITICALLY, WHAT WE NEED TO DO HERE IS SOME OF THE MEASURES THAT WE HAVE BEEN.

WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE DRINKING WATER STANDARDS SO THAT WE HAVE CLEAN, SAFE DRINKING WATER.

WE'VE DONE THAT.

WE NEED TO HAVE CLEAN-UP STANDARDS THAT ARE APPROPRIATE, WHICH WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE'VE GOT TO GET IT OUT OF OUR ENVIRONMENT, AND THAT'S REALLY A KEY FOCUS OF OURS AND OTHERS.

>> IN ADDITION TO PFAS REGULATIONS, SOME STATE LAWMAKERS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES ARE ALSO PUSHING FOR MORE FUNDING IN THIS YEAR'S STATE BUDGET FOR CLEAN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL INCLUDED $500 MILLION, A CONTINUATION OF FUNDING ESTABLISHED THROUGH THE CLEAN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE ACT SIGNED INTO LAW IN 2017.

THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL DID ALSO INCLUDE $250 MILLION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION PROJECTS RELATED TO CLEAN WATER AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.

SOME ADVOCATES AND LAWMAKERS SAY THEY WANT TO SEE AN INCREASE IN THIS STATE BUDGET FOR CLEAN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE, UPLIFTING THE FACT THAT MUCH OF THE STATE'S INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE IS MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

>> NEW YORK'S WATER INFRASTRUCTURE IS AGING AND CRUMBLING, AND IT'S PUTTING PUBLIC HEALTH AT RISK.

THERE IS AN OVER $90 BILLION NEED IN NEW YORK TO FIX OUR AGING, FAILING INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> HAYES SAYS THEY WANT TO SEE CLOSER TO $750 MILLION IN THE FINAL BUDGET, REFOCUSING THE 250 ALLOCATED FOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT TO BOLSTER THE PROCESS STATEWIDE OF REPLACING EXISTING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> WE KNOW THAT THE BEST IMPROVEMENTS FOR CLEAN WATER AND PUBLIC HEALTH COME FROM UPGRADING EXISTING, FAILING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE AND ADDRESSING EXISTING CONTAMINATION.

WE NEED ALL OF THIS FUNDING TO GO TOWARDS REPLACING LEAD PIPES AND FILTERING TOXIC PFAS CHEMICALS AND COMBATING SEWAGE OVERFLOWS.

>> AND SOME STATE LAWMAKERS AGREE, NOT HAPPY WITH THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET LANGUAGE AROUND THE PROPOSED $250 MILLION ALLOCATION.

>> THE WORDING OF IT IS THAT IT SEEMS TO BE TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR DEVELOPERS TO HELP PAY FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT, AND THAT'S NOT THE PURPOSE.

THE PURPOSE IS TO ADDRESS THE WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE THAT ARE ALREADY IN PLACE.

SO IT'S FINE IF IT'S EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE, FOR EXISTING HOUSING, BUT THOSE $200 MILLION, THERE'S A CONCERN BY MANY OF US, AND I THINK IT SHOULD BE PUT INTO THE LARGER POT.

>> LEGISLATORS IN BOTH HOUSES INCLUDE INCREASES FOR CLEAN WATER FUNDING.

THE ASSEMBLY ONE-HOUSE RESOLUTION INCLUDED A TOTAL OF $800 MILLION FOR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE, EXCLUDING THE GOVERNOR'S $200 MILLION HOUSING DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE.

THE SENATE ONE-HOUSE RESOLUTION ALSO INCLUDED CLEAN WATER FUNDING INCREASES.

THE SENATE RESOLUTION INCREASE TOTALED AN ADDITIONAL $231 MILLION AND MODIFIED THE GOVERNOR'S HOUSING INITIATIVE.

THE NEXT STEP IS NEGOTIATIONS FOR A FINAL BUDGET.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF NEGOTIATING THE FINAL BUDGET WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

THE FINAL BUDGET IS DUE APRIL 1ST.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >>> AND FOR MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES ABOUT THE STATE'S PRIORITIES ON PFAS REGULATIONS AND CLEAN WATER, YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

AGAIN, THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.

WELL, THAT DOES IT FOR THIS WEEK'S ENATION OF "NEW YORK NOW."

THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN.

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >>ANNOUNCER: FUNDING FOR "NEW YORK NOW" IS PROVIDED BY WNET.