February 28, 2025 • 26 mins
Correction Officers across the state are on strike! Officers are calling for a full repeal of the HALT Act while Gov. Kathy Hochul is moving forward with legal proceedings against the officers who don't return to work. There have been increased calls for prison reform in the state following the brutal beating of an incarcerated induvial at the Marcy Correctional Facility a few weeks ago. Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas joins us to unpack insurance coverage for inhalers in the state budget. WMHT is highlighting the work of black leaders all month long. Eva Bass - of Bridge Tha Gap and AVilliage, Inc. - is working to provide resources and opportunity in her community.
EXPLORE MORE: https://nynow.wmht.org
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Episode Transcript
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(00:08):
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S
EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."
I'M SHANTEL DESTRA.
FOR THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS,
CORRECTION OFFICERS AT PRISONS
ACROSS THE STATE HAVE BEEN ON
STRIKE.
(00:29):
OFFICERS ARE CALLING FOR A FULL
REPEAL OF THE HALT ACT WHICH
LIMITS THE USE OF SOLITARY
CONFINEMENT IN PRISONS.
AT THE TOP OF THE WEEK, GOVERNOR
KATHY HOCHUL SAID HER
ADMINISTRATION HAS TRIED TO
NEGOTIATE BUT WOULD BE MOVING
FORWARD WITH LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
AGAINST THE OFFICERS.
BY LATE THURSDAY, HOCHUL AND THE
(00:50):
OFFICERS UNION CAME TO A
TENTATIVE AGREEMENT WHICH MEANT
A 90-DAY PAUSE ON THE HALT ACT.
AT THIS TIME, OFFICERS ARE
REVIEWING THE TERMS OF THAT
AGREEMENT.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO BRING YOU
UPDATES ON ANY DEVELOPMENTS WITH
THE STRIKES RIGHT HERE ON THE
SHOW.
THE PRISON STRIKES ALSO COME
JUST A FEW WEEKS AFTER AN INMATE
(01:12):
WAS BEATEN TO DEATH BY
CORRECTION OFFICERS AT MARCY
CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.
THAT INCIDENT LED TO MASS
OUTRAGE FROM ADVOCATES AND
ELECTED OFFICIALS.
TO UNPACK THE PRISON REFORM
POLICIES THIS YEAR, HERE'S OUR
ELISE KLINE AND PLEASE BE
ADVISED THAT THE UPCOMING
FOOTAGE IS GRAPHIC IN NATURE.
(01:32):
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> IN RESPONSE TO THE VIOLENT
AND TRAGIC DEATH OF ROBERT
BROOKS, AN INMATE AT MARCY
CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN ONEIDA
COUNTY, SOME STATE LAWMAKERS
HAVE REINTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO
ADDRESS PRISON SAFETY AND PUBLIC
SAFETY.
THE INCIDENT WAS INVESTIGATED BY
THE STATE FOR THE USE OF
EXCESSIVE FORCE BY CORRECTION
OFFICERS AND NURSING STAFF WHICH
ULTIMATELY LED TO BROOKS' DEATH.
(01:54):
SO FAR, SEVERAL OFFICERS HAVE
BEEN CHARGED WITH MURDER AT A
RECENT ARRAIGNMENT HEARING
FOLLOWING A GRAND JURY
INDICTMENT.
LAWMAKERS LIKE STATE SENATOR
JULIA SALAZAR, A DEMOCRAT
REPRESENTING PARTS OF BROOKLYN
AND THE CHAIR OF CRIME, CRIME
VICTIMS, AND CORRECTIONS SENATE
COMMITTEE, ARE DEMANDING
JUSTICE.
>> AS LEGISLATORS, WE HAVE A
RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE PRISONS
SAFER THAN THIS.
>> IN JANUARY, SALAZAR
(02:15):
RE-INTRODUCED THREE BILLS
INTENDING TO IMPROVE SAFETY,
ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
IN PRISONS.
AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, SHE
CONDEMNED THE MISTREATMENT OF
INMATES IN STATE PRISONS CALLING
FOR CHANGE.
>> AND WE CAN ENSURE THAT NEW
YORKERS ENTRUSTED TO THE STATE'S
CARE ARE TREATED WITH MORE
DIGNITY, MORE RESPECT AND MORE
(02:35):
COMPASSION.
NOT VIOLENTLY BEATEN TO DEATH
WITH IMPUNITY.
>> ROBERT RICKS, ROBERT BROOKS
FATHER, RECENTLY TRAVELED TO THE
CAPITOL TO TALK TO LAWMAKERS AND
TESTIFY AT A BUDGET HEARING
ABOUT PUBLIC PROTECTION.
HE SAYS BOTH THE CRIMINAL
JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THE PRISON
SYSTEM ARE BROKEN AND NEED TO BE
RESTRUCTURED.
>> SO HAVING EXPERIENCED THE
(02:57):
TRAUMA, THE ATROCITY OF SEEING
MY SON IN A BODY BAG AND THEN
SEEING HIM BEATEN TO DEATH IS
SAD AND IT'S PAINFUL AND IT'S
HURTFUL, BUT IT'S ALSO ENRAGING.
(03:18):
SO FOR ME AT THIS JUNCTURE, IT'S
ABOUT CHANGE.
>> RICK SAYS HE'S LOOKED AT MANY
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM BILLS
AND HE ISN'T SURE THEY'RE ENOUGH
TO CHANGE THE INEQUITIES IN THE
SYSTEM.
SALAZAR SAYS WHILE THE BILLS
CAN'T REFORM THE ENTIRE SYSTEM,
THEY CAN STILL MAKE NEEDED
CHANGES.
>> OF COURSE WE WANT TO SEE A
MORE COMPREHENSIVE AGENDA AS
(03:40):
ROBERT MENTIONED, WE KNOW THAT
NO SINGULAR BILL OR EVEN SET OF
BILLS CAN CHANGE THE CULTURE OF
VIOLENCE AND IMPUNITY IN JAILS
AND PRISONS IN NEW YORK, BUT IT
CAN PLAY A ROLE.
>> ONE OF THE BILLS, NICKNAMED
THE DOCCS DISCIPLINE BILL,
INTENDS TO DO THIS BY
(04:01):
AUTHORIZING THE STATE DEPARTMENT
OF CORRECTIONS AND COMMUNITY
PROVISION COMMISSIONER AUTHORITY
TO DISCIPLINE OFFICERS ALLEGED
OF ENGAGED MISCONDUCT.
JENNIFER SCAIFE, WITH THE
CORRECTION ASSOCIATION OF NEW
YORK, SAYS THIS BILL IS COMMON
SENSE AND A STEP TOWARD
INCREASING ACCOUNTABILITY.
>> IF YOU RUN AN ORGANIZATION
AND SOMEBODY BREAKS THE RULES OR
(04:22):
COMMITS A CRIME, THE PERSON WHO
RUNS THAT AGENCY SHOULD HAVE THE
POWER TO DECIDE THAT THAT PERSON
CANNOT WORK FOR THEIR AGENCY
ANYMORE.
>> SCAIFE ADDS IN PRISONS
CURRENTLY, THERE IS A CULTURE OF
IMPUNITY THAT NEEDS TO BE
ADDRESSED.
>> I THINK RIGHT NOW THERE IS
THIS PERVASIVE SENSE OF IMPUNITY
(04:45):
THAT SOME STAFF WHO WORK IN THE
PRISONS FEEL THAT THEY ARE
UNTOUCHABLE, THAT IT'S BASICALLY
IMPOSSIBLE TO LOSE YOUR JOB SO
WE THINK THAT THIS BILL WOULD
TAKE SOME STEPS TO BEGIN
CHANGING THAT CULTURE.
>> ACCORDING TO DATA ORIGINALLY
OBTAINED BY THE MARSHALL
PROJECT, WHEN THE STATE
(05:05):
CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT TRIED TO
USE SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE
DEMONSTRATING ABUSE BY PRISON
GUARDS TO FIRE THEM, THEY FAILED
90% OF THE TIME.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE MOST RECENTLY
OBTAINED DATA GOING BACK TO 2010
SHOWS THAT DOCCS TRIED TO FIRE
OFFICERS ALLEGED TO HAVE ENGAGED
IN THE ABUSE OR COVER-UP OF
ABUSE IN AT LEAST 290 CASES, BUT
THEY WERE ONLY SUCCESSFUL IN 28
(05:27):
OF THOSE CASES.
ACCORDING TO A 2023 REPORT FROM
DOCCS, FROM 2018 TO 2022 THE
OFFICE OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS
INVESTIGATED 240 CASES IN WHICH
OFFICERS COMMITTED ASSAULTS.
THE REPORT DID NOT PROVIDE
ADDITIONAL DETAILS ON THE
OUTCOMES OF THOSE CASES.
SENATOR SALAZAR SAYS THE DOCCS
DISCIPLINE BILL COULD HELP
IMPROVE THE NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL
FIRINGS.
(05:47):
THE CURRENT PROCESS OF
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING LEAVES THE
FINAL SAY UP TO AN ARBITRATOR
WHO IS IN PART SELECTED BY THE
CORRECTION UNIONS.
SALAZAR SAYS THIS EXISTING
PROCESS IS WHAT RESULTS IN
INADEQUATE DISCIPLINE IN CASES
OF MISCONDUCT AND ABUSE.
>> OUT OF THOUSANDS OF CASES
ANNUALLY THAT DOCCS OR DOCCS
SEEKS DISCIPLINE, A VERY TINY
(06:08):
FRACTION OF THEM ACTUALLY RESULT
IN OFFICERS BEING FIRED.
WE KNOW THAT THREE OF THE
OFFICERS WHO WERE DIRECTLY
INVOLVED IN THE KILLING OF
ROBERT BROOKS WERE-- THEY
PREVIOUSLY FACED DISCIPLINE FOR
CURRENTLY INJURING INCARCERATED
INDIVIDUALS AND THAT DISCIPLINE
WAS DEEPLY INADEQUATE.
THE FACT THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO
(06:28):
CONTINUE TO WORK FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND
ULTIMATELY DO WHAT THEY DID TO
ROBERT, THAT IS A TESTAMENT TO
THE NEED FOR THE DISCIPLINARY
PROCESS TO CHANGE.
>> THE OTHER TWO BILLS WOULD
ESTABLISH NEW STATE ENTITIES TO
OVERSEE THE TREATMENT OF
INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS AND
MANDATE OVERSIGHT REPORTS BY THE
NONPROFIT CORRECTIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK AND
(06:48):
REMOVE CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS FOR
CONDUCTING THOSE REPORTS.
SCAIFFE SAYS ONE OF THE
RESTRICTIONS LIFTED THROUGH
THEIR BILL WOULD ALLOW THEM TO
ACCESS DATA AND RECORDS WITHOUT
HAVING TO FILE A FREEDOM OF
INFORMATION REQUEST.
SCAIFFE SAYS CURRENTLY THE
PROCESS OF GETTING INFORMATION
TAKES SIGNIFICANT PERIODS OF
TIME, SOMETIMES UP TO A YEAR.
>> WHICH WE THINK IS REALLY
NON-CONTROVERSIAL AND A BASIC
(07:11):
STANDARD FOR AN OVERSIGHT
ORGANIZATION, SO THAT IT
UNDERSTANDS WHAT'S GOING ON AND
CAN MAKE SENSE OF WHAT
INCARCERATED PEOPLE AND STAFF
ARE TELLING US WHEN WE ARE
CONDUCTING MONITORING VISITS.
>> ALL THREE PRISON REFORM BILLS
FAILED TO MAKE IT OUT OF
COMMITTEE LAST YEAR WHICH SOME
LAWMAKERS CONTRIBUTE TO THE
SOMETIMES TEDIOUS LEGISLATIVE
PROCESS.
(07:31):
BILLS LIKE THIS TRYING TO
IMPLEMENT SYSTEMATIC CHANGES CAN
ALSO TAKE SEVERAL YEARS TO PASS
BECAUSE OF THE LEVEL OF
STAKEHOLDERS AND THE SHEER
VOLUME OF COMPETING BILLS TAKEN
UP EACH YEAR.
THIS YEAR, HOWEVER, SOME
LAWMAKERS FEEL THERE IS
INCREASING SUPPORT AND MOMENTUM
FOR CHANGE FOLLOWING THE DEATH
OF ROBERT BROOKS.
SALAZAR SAYS SHE IS CAUTIOUSLY
OPTIMISTIC.
>> I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT AND
(07:52):
ENCOURAGED BY THE SUPPORT THAT
WE'RE SEEING ALSO BY
CONVERSATIONS WITH THE EXECUTIVE
CHAMBER ABOUT IT.
>> OTHER LAWMAKERS SUPPORTIVE OF
THE LEGISLATION SAY THEY HOPE TO
SEE THESE BILLS PASS.
STATE SENATOR ZELNICK MYRIE, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
BROOKLYN, SAYS THE LEGISLATURE
NEEDS TO DO EVERYTHING IT CAN TO
IMPROVE TRANSPARENCY AND
ACCOUNTABILITY IN PRISONS.
>> WHAT WE SAW WAS DISGUSTING.
(08:14):
THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN IN A
NEW YORK CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
AND WE SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTING
EVERY SINGLE PROTECTION WE CAN
TO ENSURE THAT INCARCERATED
INDIVIDUALS ARE NEVER SUBJECTED
TO WHAT MR. BROOKS WAS.
>> SOME REPUBLICANS ACROSS THE
AISLE AGREE THERE IS AN ISSUE OF
VIOLENCE IN PRISONS, ABOUT YOU
THEY HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS ABOUT
HOW TO HANDLE IT.
(08:34):
STATE SENATOR ANTHONY PALUMBO, A
REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING PARTS OF
SUFFOLK COUNTY, SAYS THE
LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO ENSURE
THERE IS PROPER FUNDING AND
STAFFING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS.
PALUMBO SAYS A BILL LIKE THE
DOCCS DISCIPLINE BILL MIGHT BE
AN OVERSTEP.
>> THAT'S A REALLY DIFFICULT
THING BECAUSE YOU HAVE A
MEMBERSHIP THAT IS CONTRACTUALLY
BOUND TO AN AGREEMENT AND THEY
(08:55):
USUALLY BARGAIN THAT STUFF OUT
THROUGH THEIR COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING WITH THEIR UNION AND
THE MEMBERS AND THE GOVERNOR,
WHOEVER IT MAY BE, DEPENDING ON
THE AGENCY AND SO THAT'S REALLY
KIND OF AN IMPORTANT THING THAT
I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD GET TOO
INVESTED IN SOMETHING LIKE THAT
IN MICRO MANAGING AN AGENCY LIKE
THAT.
>> OTHER REPUBLICANS STRESS THE
ISSUE STARTS WITH IMPROVING
STAFFING IN PRISONS.
STATE SENATOR PATRICK GALLIVAN,
(09:17):
A REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING PARTS
OF ERIE COUNTY, SAYS HE IS
CONCERNED ABOUT DETERIORATING
STAFFING LEVELS.
>> THE ANSWER DOES NOT LIE IN
JUST ALTERING CORRECTIONAL
OFFICERS' BEHAVIORS.
IT'S FIXING THE ISSUE OF
VIOLENCE IN PRISON ANDS WE START
BY PROPERLY EQUIPPING THEM
ENSURE-- AGAIN, PROPER LEVEL
SUFFICIENT STAFFING, SELECT THE
(09:39):
RIGHT PEOPLE, PROPERLY TRAIN
THEM, PROPERLY EQUIP THEM.
>> WHILE SOME DEMOCRATS SAY THEY
DON'T THINK IT'S ACCURATE TO
SOURCE STAFFING AS A REASON FOR
VIOLENCE IN PRISONS, THERE ARE
WAYS TO DEAL WITH THE STAFFING
ISSUE.
ONE OF THEM BEING TO CLOSE
PRISONS.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER DEMOND MEEKS, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
ROCHESTER, SAYS TO HIS
UNDERSTANDING THE STATE HAS THE
ABILITY TO CLOSE SEVERAL
PRISONS, A MEASURE APPROVED IN
(10:00):
LAST YEAR'S FINAL BUDGET.
HE ALSO STANDS WITH HIS
COLLEAGUES CALLING TO CLOSE
MARCY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.
>> THIS ISN'T A ONE-AND-DONE.
THEY HAVE A TRACK RECORD, SO DO
OTHER FACILITIES ACROSS THE
STATE, BUT A TRACK RECORD OF
BRUTALITY AND IT'S UNACCEPTABLE.
>> FOR MANY ADVOCATES ALSO
CALLING FOR THE CLOSURE OF MARCY
AND DEMANDING JUSTICE THIS ISSUE
(10:21):
IS PERSONAL.
STANLEY BELLANY, A COMMUNITY
ORGANIZER FOR RAPP, THE RELEASE
AGING PEOPLE IN PRISON, OR RAPP
CAMPAIGN, SAYS THIS ISSUE MEANS
A LOT TO HIM HAVING SERVED 37
AND A HALF YEARS IN PRISON.
HE SAYS HE HAS SEEN OFFICER
BRUTALITY AND INHUMANE TREATMENT
FIRSTHAND.
>> I HAVE WATCHED OFFICERS
MURDERED INCARCERATED PEOPLE AND
NO ACCOUNTABILITY.
(10:43):
ONLY THING FOR SOME OF THEM,
THEY WERE ASKED TO LEAVE THEIR
JOB.
THEY WAS NEVER ARRESTED.
THEY WAS NEVER CHARGED.
THEY WERE NEVER PENALIZED
WHATSOEVER AND THAT'S WHY THIS
ISSUE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.
BECAUSE I STILL HAVE FAMILY
MEMBERS THAT'S INCARCERATED THAT
WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THIS SAME
TYPE OF BEHAVIOR IF IT'S NOT
ADDRESSED AND CHANGED.
>> BELLANY SAYS HIS EXPERIENCE
IN PRISON STAYS WITH HIM EVEN
(11:04):
NOW THAT HE IS OUT.
>> I DID 37 1/2 YEARS AND I'M
STILL COPING WITH THAT SYSTEM
THAT I LEFT AND I'M ONLY BEEN
HOME 20 MONTHS SO IT'S
TRAUMATIZING.
>> BELLANY ISN'T ALONE.
ADVOCATE THOMAS GANT WHO SERVED
25 YEARS IN PRISON SAYS AFTER
JUST SEEING PARTS OF THE
RELEASED VIDEO OF ROBERT BROOKS,
HE HAD NIGHTMARES.
>> MY WIFE HAD TO SHOVE ME AWAKE
(11:25):
TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW.
I WAS IN MY SLEEP CRYING, RIGHT,
AND YOU KNOW, MOANING AND DOING
ALL THESE DIFFERENT-- HAVING
THESE DIFFERENT REACTIONS.
SO IT'S A SUBCONSCIOUS THING FOR
ME.
MY TRAUMA GOES DEEP, AS YOU CAN
IMAGINE 25 YEARS OF THAT, OF
BEING TREATED LESS THAN, YOU
KNOW, NOT BEING AFFORDED AN
(11:46):
OPPORTUNITY TO WALK WITH
DIGNITY, RESPECT AND MY
HUMANNESS.
AND SO THAT DOES SOMETHING TO
YOU.
>> THE CONDITIONS OF THE PRISON
SYSTEM AREN'T JUST HARD ON
INMATES AND FORMALLY
INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS.
IT'S ALSO HARD ON THE FAMILIES.
CAROLINE HANSON, A COMMUNITY
LEADER FOR RAPP, SAYS SHE
WORRIES ABOUT HER HUSBAND
CURRENTLY SERVING LIFE WITHOUT
(12:06):
PAROLE ALL THE TIME.
>> I LIVE IN FEAR EVERY DAY WHEN
THAT PHONE RINGS THAT HE COULD
BE THE NEXT ROBERT BROOKS.
WE HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS, AND I
THINK ABOUT ROBERT BROOKS'
FAMILY AND HIS MOTHER, HIS
CHILDREN AND ITS BREAKS MY
HEART.
>> BECAUSE OF HER EXPERIENCE,
HANSON IS PASSIONATE LIKE MANY
OTHERS ABOUT ADVOCATING FOR
CHANGE.
FOR A RECENT PRESS CONFERENCE IN
(12:26):
ALBANY, SHE WOKE UP AT 4:00 A.M.
TO GET TO THE CAPITOL FOR AN
AFTERNOON RALLY.
THIS IS AN ISSUE ADVOCATES, LIKE
HANSON, HAVE BEEN RALLYING FOR A
LONG TIME.
BELLANY STRESSES THIS INCIDENT,
IN PARTICULAR, HAS GAINED A LOT
OF ATTENTION BECAUSE IT WAS
CAUGHT ON CAMERA.
>> THE ONLY REASON WHY THIS IS
AN ISSUE NOW IS BECAUSE THE
WHOLE WORLD GOT TO SEE IT, BUT
WE'VE BEEN TELLING THEM THIS HAS
BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS AND
(12:47):
NOTHING HAS HAPPENED OR BEEN
DONE TO CHANGE IT, AND THAT'S
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.
SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.
FOR MANY OF US, THE FORMALLY
INCARCERATED THIS IS OUR GEORGE
FLOYD MOMENT.
>> BODY CAMERAS ARE A TOPIC OF
BUDGET DISCUSSIONS.
IT CAME UP OFTEN IN A RECENT
BUDGET HEARING FOCUSING ON
PUBLIC PROTECTION.
THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED IN HER
BUDGET $400 MILLION FOR THE
ACCELERATION AND CONTINUED
INSTALLATION OF FIXED CAMERAS IN
(13:09):
ALL FACILITIES AND $18.4 MILLION
FOR THE EXPANSION OF BODY-WORN
CAMERA PROGRAM.
DOCCS COMMISSIONER DANIEL
MARTUSCELLO, WHEN ASKED A
QUESTION DURING THE RECENT
BUDGET HEARING ABOUT WHAT SHOULD
BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE
DISCIPLINARY PROCESS, SAYS
CAMERAS HAVE HELPED
TREMENDOUSLY.
HOWEVER, WHILE MANY LAWMAKERS ON
BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE SAY THEY
ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS BUDGET
ITEM, SOME LAWMAKERS SAY THERE
(13:29):
HAS TO BE BETTER ENFORCEMENT OF
THE USE OF CAMERA THE.
>> IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE
A UNIVERSAL BODYGUARD CAMERA
POLICY.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE FIXED
CAMERAS ADEQUATE ACROSS
FACILITIES AND SO I SUPPORT THE
FUNDING TO ENSURE THAT HAPPENS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THERE NEEDS TO
(13:50):
BE CONSEQUENCED WHEN THE POLICY
IS NOT FOLLOWED.
>> MARTUSCELLO SAID IN THE
HEARING HE IS FOCUSED ON
ACCOUNTABILITY AND RE-ITERATED
HIS CONDEMNATION OF THE
EXCESSIVE FORCE USED AGAINST
ROBERT BROOKS.
SOME LAWMAKERS WERE NOT HAPPY
WITH HIS ANSWERS DURING THE
HEARING.
STATE SENATOR JABARI BRISPORT, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
BROOKLYN, SAYS WHILE THE DOCCS
COMMISSIONER STRESSED A FOCUS ON
ACCOUNTABILITY, HE SEEMS TO HAVE
(14:11):
NEGLECTED MAKING CHANGES AROUND
THIS VERY ISSUE FOR YEARS AT
THIS POINT.
>> I WOULD SAY ONE OF THE MOST
FRUSTRATING THINGS THAT I
BROUGHT UP WHEN I WAS
QUESTIONING HIM WAS THAT IN HIS
OPENING STATEMENTS, HE HAD A
SLEW OF REFORMS.
THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT
IMPLEMENTING IN THE WAKE OF
ROBERT BROOKS' MURDER AND THAT
BEGS THE QUESTION, WHY WASN'T
ANY OF THIS DONE BEFORE?
(14:32):
>> WMHT REACHED OUT MULTIPLE
TIMES TO DOCCS TO ASK FURTHER
QUESTIONS BUT THEY DECLINED TO
COMMENT.
WMHT ALSO TRIED TO TALK TO THE
COMMISSIONER AND ASK FURTHER
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STATE'S
HANDLING OF ROBERT BROOKS'S
DEATH AND OTHER MISCONDUCT,
AFTER THE PUBLIC PROTECTION
HEARING, BUT MARTUSCELLO EVADED
REPORTERS, SWIFTLY TRYING TO
EXIT THE BUILDING.
IT'S CLEAR THIS ISSUE WILL
CONTINUE TO BE ON LAWMAKERS'
MINDS AS SESSION MOVES ALONG.
(14:54):
AGAIN, THESE BILLS ARE STILL IN
COMMITTEE, BUT MANY LAWMAKERS
SAY IF THE POLITICAL WILL IS THERE
THEY WILL PASS.
SO FAR THAT WILL SEEMS TO BE
PRESENT.
ELISE KLINE, NEW YORK NOW.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> NOW TURNING TO ANOTHER
IMPORTANT TOPIC.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER JESSICA
GONZÁLEZ-ROJAS IS PUSHING FOR
A BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE
(15:14):
INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR INHALERS
IN THE STATE BUDGET.
IF ENACTED, THE DEPARTMENT OF
FINANCIAL SERVICES WOULD THEN BE
TASKED WITH MONITORING THEIR
COMPLIANCE.
TO UNPACK THE BILL AND THE
SUPPORT AROUND IT, WE SAT DOWN
WITH THE ASSEMBLY MEMBER.
HERE'S THAT INTERVIEW.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING
(15:35):
THE TIME TO SPEAK WITH US TODAY,
ASSEMBLY MEMBER.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> NOW I'M SO EXCITED TO TALK
ABOUT YOUR BILL THAT WOULD
REQUIRE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR
INHALERS AT NO COST.
CAN YOU TELL US SOME INSIGHT
INTO THAT BILL AND WHY IT WAS
IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO SPONSOR IT?
>> YES. SO RIGHT NOW IN NEW
YORK, WE HAVE OVER A MILLION
PEOPLE WHO LIVE WITH ASTHMA,
(15:56):
300,000 CHILDREN, AND WE KNOW
THAT THE INHALERS ARE A
LIFE-SAVING DEVICE.
LIKE THEY LITERALLY CANNOT GO
WITHOUT IT AND LAST YEAR IN OUR
BUDGET, WE WERE ABLE TO PASS A
BILL IN THE BUDGET THAT WAS
SPONSORED BY ASSEMBLY WOMAN
PHARA SOUFFRANT FORREST TO HAVE
INSULIN WITHOUT COSTS.
(16:19):
THIS MEANS THERE'S NO COPAY, NO
COINSURANCE, NO DEDUCTIBLE TO
COVER THIS LIFE-SAVING DEVICE
WHICH IS INSULIN.
SO I WAS REALLY INSPIRED BY THAT
BILL.
I ALSO REPRESENT ASTHMA ALLEY IN
QUEENS.
I HAVE NORTH ASTORIA IN MY
DISTRICT.
MY SENATE PARTNER IS SENATOR
RIVERA, WHO HAS THE BRONX AND
(16:40):
THE BRONX IS NOTORIOUSLY SUFFERS
WITH HIGH ASTHMA RATES.
ALSO IN QUEENS, SOUTH QUEENS
THERE'S HIGH ASTHMA RATES AS
WELL.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT IMPACTS MY
COMMUNITY PERSONALLY.
MY SENATE SPONSOR'S COMMUNITY
PERSONALLY AND WE'RE REALLY
INVESTED IN NOT JUST LOWERING
THE COST FOR INHALERS BUT
(17:01):
GETTING RID OF COPAYS,
COINSURANCE AND DEDUCTIBLES
COMPLETELY.
THIS IS A LIFE-SAVING DEVICE AND
IT SHOULDN'T COST SO MUCH TO
BREATHE.
>> AND GIVEN THE TIME WE'RE IN
WHERE WE SEE RECORD HIGH
INFLATION AND RISING COSTS OF
GROCERIES, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING
FROM CONSTITUENTS ABOUT HOW
PAYING FOR THINGS LIKE INHALERS
IS IMPACTING THEIR POCKETS AND
(17:22):
THEIR LIVELIHOOD?
>> YEAH, WE WERE REALLY INSPIRE
BID LIKE ACTIVIST FRIENDS OF
MINE WHO HAVE CHILDREN.
THEY WERE PAYING LIKE $200 PER
CHILD FOR THESE INHALERS
WHENEVER THEY NEEDED IT AND THAT
COST WAS SUCH A BURDEN ON THE
RISING COSTS OF FOOD AND RENT
AND ALL THE THINGS THAT, YOU
KNOW, EVERYDAY NEW YORKERS ARE
STRUGGLING WITH.
(17:42):
SO TO HEAR HER STORY, TO SEE HOW
SHE'S STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS
MEET, AND ACKNOWLEDGING THAT
THESE CHILDREN NEED THEIR
INHALERS, RIGHT, TO BREATHE, AND
IT IS JUST SO CRITICAL TO THE
HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF OUR
CHILDREN, OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT
THOSE STORIES INSPIRED ME TO
INTRODUCE THE BILL IN ADDITION
TO HAVING AND SEEING THE DATA
(18:02):
AROUND THE HIGH RATES OF ASTHMA
IN MY DISTRICT, THE QUEENS AND
THE BRONX AND ACROSS THE STATE
REALLY
>> IT'S CLEAR THAT AFFORDABILITY
IS THE BIG THEME THIS SESSION.
I WANTED TO GET YOUR TAKE IF THE
GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS
ARE IN LINE WITH YOUR VISION FOR
LOWERING OR ELIMINATING THE COST
OF INHALERS FOR NEW YORKERS.
(18:24):
DO YOU THINK THEY'RE FULLY
BEHIND THIS MEASURE?
>> WELL, WE WERE MEETING WITH
THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ABOUT IT.
WE WERE HOPING IT WOULD BE IN
THE BUDGET SO IT HASN'T YET
EMERGED BUT IT'S STILL NOT TOO
LATE.
WE ARE IN THE THROWS OF BUDGET
NEGOTIATIONS AND AGAIN, WE WERE
REALLY THRILLED THAT SHE WAS
ABLE TO DO THIS FOR INSULIN LAST
YEAR, AND IT WAS SOMETHING THAT
SHE TOUTED AND WAS VERY PROUD
OF.
(18:44):
THAT IS PROBABLY SAVING LIVES
AND WE WANT TO SAVE LIVES AS
WELL IN MAKING SURE THAT FOLKS
WHO LIVE WITH ASTHMA ARE ABLE TO
GET THESE LIFE-SAVING DEVICES
WITHOUT COSTS.
SO IT SEEMS ALIGNED WITH HER
VISION OF AFFORDABILITY FOR NEW
YORKERS AND OBVIOUSLY HEALTH AND
WELLBEING IS SO CENTRAL TO THAT
AND PEOPLE, AGAIN, SHOULDN'T
HAVE TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS.
WE HEAR COSTS UP TO $640 FOR
(19:07):
INHALER, JUST ONE INHALER.
SO THESE ARE COSTS THAT NO ONE
SHOULD BEAR IN ORDER TO BREATHE.
IT'S A VITAL LIFE FUNCTION AND
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERY NEW
YORKER IS HEALTHY AND THIS IS
ONE WAY TO DO THAT.
>> WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT
CONVERSATIONS LIKE WITH YOUR
FELLOW LAWMAKERS IN THE ASSEMBLY
CHAMBER ABOUT THIS MEASURE?
>> WE'RE REALLY EXCITED.
(19:27):
I MEAN, WE GOT A LOT OF SUPPORT.
WE HIT THE GROUND RUNNING IN THE
SUMMER WITH THIS BILL.
THE MAYOR OF ROCHESTER JUST CAME
UP TO ALBANY TO TESTIFY LAST
WEEK.
WE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE RATES
OF ASTHMA IN ROCHESTER HAVE
SKYROCKETED AND HE SUPPORTS THE
BILL AND ALREADY ISSUED A MEMO
(19:48):
OF SUPPORT FOR THIS BILL, SO WE
WERE THRILLED TO NOT JUST TALK
TO OUR DIRECT COLLEAGUES BUT
ALSO OTHER PUBLIC OFFICIALS THAT
ARE DEALING WITH THESE HIGH
RATES OF ASTHMA IN THEIR
COMMUNITIES AND WANT TO MAKE
SURE THAT THEIR COMMUNITIES HAVE
ACCESS TO THOSE LIFE-SAVING
DEVICES.
THAT WAS REALLY WONDERFUL.
SO WE'RE PUSHING ALONG.
WE'RE GETTING CLOSE, AND AGAIN,
(20:10):
MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR'S
OFFICE IN THE HOPE THAT SHE
WOULD INCLUDE THIS IN THE FINAL
BUDGET.
>> ARE WE ANTICIPATING ANY COSTS
FOR THE STATE TO HAVE THAT
MONITORING?
>> IT WOULD REALLY JUST-- IT'S
THE COMPANIES THAT MAKE IT,
RIGHT.
SO WE HEAR OF THESE BIG
COMPANIES LIKE ASTRAZENECA OR
GLAXOSMITHKLINE WHERE THEY'RE
CHARGING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN
THE UNITED STATES BUT CHARGING
(20:31):
$9 OR $14 IN EUROPE OR GERMANY,
RIGHT, SO IT'S REALLY JUST
HAVING THEM NOT MAKE PROFIT OFF
THESE KINDS OF LIFE-SAVING
DEVICES.
SO WE DON'T ANTICIPATE A COST TO
THE STATE.
IT'S REALLY THE INSURANCE
COMPANIES THAT WOULD JUST HAVE
TO PROVIDE THIS AS PART OF THEIR
INSURANCE PACKAGES.
>> YEAH. AND AS YOU MENTIONED
BEFORE, THE STATE DEPARTMENT
(20:53):
REPORTED THAT OVER 1.5 MILLION
NEW YORKERS STRUGGLE WITH
ASTHMA.
SO FROM YOUR PURVIEW, WHY HASN'T
SOMETHING LIKE THIS BEEN PUT
INTO PLACE TO HELP NEW YORKERS?
>> WELL, WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO
FIGHT.
IT'S PUBLIC ADVOCATES LIKE
MYSELF, LIKE SENATOR RIVERA WHO
ARE REALLY THINKING ABOUT THE
IMPACT OF THE COSTS OF CARE FOR
(21:13):
NEW YORKERS WHO ARE STRUGGLING.
THE OTHER THING TO NOTE IS THAT
300,000 CHILDREN THAT ARE
STRUGGLING WITH ASTHMA AND OFTEN
MISSING DAYS FROM SCHOOL AND
AGAIN, YOU KNOW, NOT BEING ABLE
TO PARTICIPATE, PLAY OUTSIDE, DO
THINGS THAT NORMAL CHILDREN
SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO BECAUSE
THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THEIR
INHALERS.
SO THIS IS ABOUT BOTH
(21:33):
AFFORDABILITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH.
>> YEAH. AND THERE ARE SOME
OTHER STATES WHO HAVE SIMILAR
MEASURES, SUCH AS MINNESOTA, NEW
JERSEY, RHODE ISLAND, ILLINOIS,
SO I WAS CURIOUS.
HOW WOULD THE NEW YORK LAW BE
DIFFERENT OR SIMILAR FROM WHAT
HAS BEEN PUT FORTH IN THOSE
OTHER STATES?
>> SO THOSE STATES HAVE CAPPED
THE COST, WHICH IS GREAT.
I THINK BETWEEN $25 AND $35, BUT
(21:55):
HERE IN, NO, OUR BILL WOULD MAKE
THIS TOTALLY FREE TO PATIENTS SO
THEY'RE NOT PAYING ANY
DEDUCTIBLE, ANY COPAYS, NO
COINSURANCE.
THAT'S HOW WE'RE DIFFERENT
BECAUSE, AGAIN, WE WANT TO LEAD
IN THESE AREAS AND WE WANT TO BE
THE BEST ADVOCATES FOR THE
HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF OUR NEW
YORKERS AND IT'S WONDERFUL THAT
(22:16):
OTHER STATES HAVE DONE IT, ABOUT
YOU WE CERTAINLY SHOULD GET
AHEAD AND BE THE STATE OUT FRONT
AND ENSURING THAT EVERY PERSON
HAS ACCESS TO THESE LIFE-SAVING
DEVICES FOR FREE.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
AND LASTLY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE
ABOUT TWO MONTHS INTO THE
SESSION.
WE'RE THICK INTO BUDGET
NEGOTIATIONS.
SO WHAT WILL BE YOUR STRATEGY TO
ENSURE THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS
MAKES IT INTO THE FINAL ENACTED
(22:37):
BUDGET AND THIS ISN'T A LOST
PRIORITY AT THE CAPITOL?
>> YEAH. SO WE'RE CIRCULATING A
LETTER TO OUR COLLEAGUES.
AGAIN, WE HAVE MEMBERS AND
SPONSORS ON THE BILL.
WE'RE CONTINUING OUR
CONVERSATION WITH THE GOVERNOR'S
OFFICE AND WE'RE JUST WORKING TO
DO EDUCATION AND AGAIN, JUST THE
INSPIRATION OF WHAT HAPPENED
LAST YEAR WITH THE INSULIN BILL.
AGAIN, IT'S JUST REALLY, REALLY
(22:58):
CRITICAL THAT WE LOOK AT OTHER
LIFE-SAVING DEVICES.
AGAIN, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT
SOMEONE NEEDS TO BREATHE AND AS
WE SAY, IT SHOULDN'T COST SO
MUCH TO BREATHE.
THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT
COULD REALLY HELP EVERYDAY NEW
YORKERS BE WELL, BE HEALTHY IN
THE STATE AND WE HAVE A LOT OF
SUPPORT.
IT'S JUST CONTINUING TO PUSH IN
A TIME WHERE, YOU KNOW, THE
FUTURE IS UNCERTAIN IN TERMS OF
(23:19):
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BUT I
KNOW IN NEW YORK WE REALLY WANT
TO ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY AND THE
HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF OUR
NEIGHBORS.
>> WELL, SOUNDS LIKE A LOT TO
LOOK FORWARD TO AND
UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S ALL THE
TIME WE HAVE FOR TODAY, BUT WE
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE
TIME TO SPEAK WITH US TODAY,
ASSEMBLY MEMBER.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH
(23:40):
ASSEMBLY MEMBER JESSICA
GONZÁLEZ-ROJAS.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> NOW TURN TO OUR LAST TOPIC
WHERE WE'LL BE DIVING INTO THE
IMPACTFUL WORK OF A COMMUNITY
LEADER IN THE CAPITAL REGION.
FOR YEARS, EVA BASS WORKED TO
PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES, SUPPORTS
AND RESOURCES TO HER COMMUNITY
WITH HER NONPROFIT
(24:01):
ORGANIZATIONS.
THAT WORK IS DONE IN PART
THROUGH AN ORGANIZATION KNOWN AS
BRIDGE THE GAP, WHICH THRIVES TO
ADDRESS SYSTEMIC SERVICE GAPS.
HERE'S THAT STORY.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> TODAY IF YOU'RE JUST COMING
IN OR IF YOU DON'T REALIZE
WHAT'S GOING ON, THIS IS OUR
SECOND A STATE OF THE COMMUNITY
ADDRESS.
(24:22):
MY NAME IS EVA BASS AND I'M THE
CEO AND FOUNDER OF BRIDGE THE
GAP RESOURCE AND OUTREACH,
INCORPORATED, AND I AM THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF A VILLAGE,
INC.
BRIDGE THE GAP IS A COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATION THAT FOCUSES ON
HELPING PEOPLE HAVE THE TOOLS TO
BE THEIR BEST.
WE DO THAT BY MENTORSHIP, BUT
ALSO BRINGING RESOURCES CLOSER
(24:43):
TO THE COMMUNITY.
YOU'VE BEEN HERE FOR ONE YEAR.
[ APPLAUSE ]
WHOA! THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING
ABOUT.
I CAME TO THIS WORK BECAUSE OF
MY LIFE EXPERIENCES.
I GREW UP IN FOSTER CARE.
I GREW UP IN A HOUSE OF MENTAL
HEALTH ISSUES AND I'VE BEEN ON
MY OWN SINCE I WAS 14, A SINGLE
(25:04):
MOM.
I'VE BEEN THROUGH DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE, LIKE ALL THOSE THINGS.
I JUST CHOSE TO CHANGE MY PAIN
AND MY STORY INTO A SOLUTION FOR
OTHERS.
THE WAY I LEAD IS SIDE BY SIDE
WITH MY COMMUNITY, WITH MY
PARTNER INS WITH MY STAFF, WITH
MY VOLUNTEERS.
I ALWAYS REMIND THEM I'M JUST
MS. EVA.
I'M HERE. I CAME FROM THE SAME
(25:24):
PLACES YOU CAME AND WE'RE DOING
THIS FOR US AS A COLLECTIVE
VERSUS FOR SOME KIND OF PERSONAL
AGENDA.
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU GUYS
TAKING THIS TIME OUT TO REALLY
HEAR WHAT'S GOING ON.
SO IN MY LONG LINE OF WORK, I
HAVE HAD TO FIGHT SO HARD TO
JUST CONVINCE PEOPLE THE REAL
(25:46):
NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE DONE A COMMUNITY IMPACT
SURVEY AND NOW WE HAVE THE FACTS
TO THE HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE.
I TOOK A STEP BACK AND I MADE A
COMMITMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
CREATED DATA-BASED INFORMATION
SO THAT WE CAN STEER OUR OWN
SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE BUT
ALSO HOLD OTHER ORGANIZATIONS,
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND LEADERS
(26:06):
ACCOUNTABLE TO MAKE SURE TO
PRIORITIZE THE REAL NEEDS OF THE
COMMUNITY.
MY WHOLE VISION IS SEEING THAT
WE'RE PROVIDING A SERVICE FOR
OUR COMMUNITY TO BE ABLE TO HAVE
A SAFE HAVEN WHERE THEY CAN BE
THEIR AUTHENTIC SELF AND THEY'RE
NOT BEING JUDGED BUT WHEN THEY
WALK INTO BRIDGE THE GAP, IT
FEELS LIKE HOME.
(26:27):
>> WELL, THAT DOES IT FOR THIS
EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."
THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN AND SEE
YOU NEXT WEEK.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>>ANNOUNCER (26:36):
FUNDING FOR "NEW
YORK NOW" IS PROVIDED BY WNET.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S
EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."
I'M SHANTEL DESTRA.
FOR THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS,
CORRECTION OFFICERS AT PRISONS
ACROSS THE STATE HAVE BEEN ON
STRIKE.
(00:29):
OFFICERS ARE CALLING FOR A FULL
REPEAL OF THE HALT ACT WHICH
LIMITS THE USE OF SOLITARY
CONFINEMENT IN PRISONS.
AT THE TOP OF THE WEEK, GOVERNOR
KATHY HOCHUL SAID HER
ADMINISTRATION HAS TRIED TO
NEGOTIATE BUT WOULD BE MOVING
FORWARD WITH LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
AGAINST THE OFFICERS.
BY LATE THURSDAY, HOCHUL AND THE
(00:50):
OFFICERS UNION CAME TO A
TENTATIVE AGREEMENT WHICH MEANT
A 90-DAY PAUSE ON THE HALT ACT.
AT THIS TIME, OFFICERS ARE
REVIEWING THE TERMS OF THAT
AGREEMENT.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO BRING YOU
UPDATES ON ANY DEVELOPMENTS WITH
THE STRIKES RIGHT HERE ON THE
SHOW.
THE PRISON STRIKES ALSO COME
JUST A FEW WEEKS AFTER AN INMATE
(01:12):
WAS BEATEN TO DEATH BY
CORRECTION OFFICERS AT MARCY
CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.
THAT INCIDENT LED TO MASS
OUTRAGE FROM ADVOCATES AND
ELECTED OFFICIALS.
TO UNPACK THE PRISON REFORM
POLICIES THIS YEAR, HERE'S OUR
ELISE KLINE AND PLEASE BE
ADVISED THAT THE UPCOMING
FOOTAGE IS GRAPHIC IN NATURE.
(01:32):
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> IN RESPONSE TO THE VIOLENT
AND TRAGIC DEATH OF ROBERT
BROOKS, AN INMATE AT MARCY
CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN ONEIDA
COUNTY, SOME STATE LAWMAKERS
HAVE REINTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO
ADDRESS PRISON SAFETY AND PUBLIC
SAFETY.
THE INCIDENT WAS INVESTIGATED BY
THE STATE FOR THE USE OF
EXCESSIVE FORCE BY CORRECTION
OFFICERS AND NURSING STAFF WHICH
ULTIMATELY LED TO BROOKS' DEATH.
(01:54):
SO FAR, SEVERAL OFFICERS HAVE
BEEN CHARGED WITH MURDER AT A
RECENT ARRAIGNMENT HEARING
FOLLOWING A GRAND JURY
INDICTMENT.
LAWMAKERS LIKE STATE SENATOR
JULIA SALAZAR, A DEMOCRAT
REPRESENTING PARTS OF BROOKLYN
AND THE CHAIR OF CRIME, CRIME
VICTIMS, AND CORRECTIONS SENATE
COMMITTEE, ARE DEMANDING
JUSTICE.
>> AS LEGISLATORS, WE HAVE A
RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE PRISONS
SAFER THAN THIS.
>> IN JANUARY, SALAZAR
(02:15):
RE-INTRODUCED THREE BILLS
INTENDING TO IMPROVE SAFETY,
ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
IN PRISONS.
AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, SHE
CONDEMNED THE MISTREATMENT OF
INMATES IN STATE PRISONS CALLING
FOR CHANGE.
>> AND WE CAN ENSURE THAT NEW
YORKERS ENTRUSTED TO THE STATE'S
CARE ARE TREATED WITH MORE
DIGNITY, MORE RESPECT AND MORE
(02:35):
COMPASSION.
NOT VIOLENTLY BEATEN TO DEATH
WITH IMPUNITY.
>> ROBERT RICKS, ROBERT BROOKS
FATHER, RECENTLY TRAVELED TO THE
CAPITOL TO TALK TO LAWMAKERS AND
TESTIFY AT A BUDGET HEARING
ABOUT PUBLIC PROTECTION.
HE SAYS BOTH THE CRIMINAL
JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THE PRISON
SYSTEM ARE BROKEN AND NEED TO BE
RESTRUCTURED.
>> SO HAVING EXPERIENCED THE
(02:57):
TRAUMA, THE ATROCITY OF SEEING
MY SON IN A BODY BAG AND THEN
SEEING HIM BEATEN TO DEATH IS
SAD AND IT'S PAINFUL AND IT'S
HURTFUL, BUT IT'S ALSO ENRAGING.
(03:18):
SO FOR ME AT THIS JUNCTURE, IT'S
ABOUT CHANGE.
>> RICK SAYS HE'S LOOKED AT MANY
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM BILLS
AND HE ISN'T SURE THEY'RE ENOUGH
TO CHANGE THE INEQUITIES IN THE
SYSTEM.
SALAZAR SAYS WHILE THE BILLS
CAN'T REFORM THE ENTIRE SYSTEM,
THEY CAN STILL MAKE NEEDED
CHANGES.
>> OF COURSE WE WANT TO SEE A
MORE COMPREHENSIVE AGENDA AS
(03:40):
ROBERT MENTIONED, WE KNOW THAT
NO SINGULAR BILL OR EVEN SET OF
BILLS CAN CHANGE THE CULTURE OF
VIOLENCE AND IMPUNITY IN JAILS
AND PRISONS IN NEW YORK, BUT IT
CAN PLAY A ROLE.
>> ONE OF THE BILLS, NICKNAMED
THE DOCCS DISCIPLINE BILL,
INTENDS TO DO THIS BY
(04:01):
AUTHORIZING THE STATE DEPARTMENT
OF CORRECTIONS AND COMMUNITY
PROVISION COMMISSIONER AUTHORITY
TO DISCIPLINE OFFICERS ALLEGED
OF ENGAGED MISCONDUCT.
JENNIFER SCAIFE, WITH THE
CORRECTION ASSOCIATION OF NEW
YORK, SAYS THIS BILL IS COMMON
SENSE AND A STEP TOWARD
INCREASING ACCOUNTABILITY.
>> IF YOU RUN AN ORGANIZATION
AND SOMEBODY BREAKS THE RULES OR
(04:22):
COMMITS A CRIME, THE PERSON WHO
RUNS THAT AGENCY SHOULD HAVE THE
POWER TO DECIDE THAT THAT PERSON
CANNOT WORK FOR THEIR AGENCY
ANYMORE.
>> SCAIFE ADDS IN PRISONS
CURRENTLY, THERE IS A CULTURE OF
IMPUNITY THAT NEEDS TO BE
ADDRESSED.
>> I THINK RIGHT NOW THERE IS
THIS PERVASIVE SENSE OF IMPUNITY
(04:45):
THAT SOME STAFF WHO WORK IN THE
PRISONS FEEL THAT THEY ARE
UNTOUCHABLE, THAT IT'S BASICALLY
IMPOSSIBLE TO LOSE YOUR JOB SO
WE THINK THAT THIS BILL WOULD
TAKE SOME STEPS TO BEGIN
CHANGING THAT CULTURE.
>> ACCORDING TO DATA ORIGINALLY
OBTAINED BY THE MARSHALL
PROJECT, WHEN THE STATE
(05:05):
CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT TRIED TO
USE SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE
DEMONSTRATING ABUSE BY PRISON
GUARDS TO FIRE THEM, THEY FAILED
90% OF THE TIME.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE MOST RECENTLY
OBTAINED DATA GOING BACK TO 2010
SHOWS THAT DOCCS TRIED TO FIRE
OFFICERS ALLEGED TO HAVE ENGAGED
IN THE ABUSE OR COVER-UP OF
ABUSE IN AT LEAST 290 CASES, BUT
THEY WERE ONLY SUCCESSFUL IN 28
(05:27):
OF THOSE CASES.
ACCORDING TO A 2023 REPORT FROM
DOCCS, FROM 2018 TO 2022 THE
OFFICE OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS
INVESTIGATED 240 CASES IN WHICH
OFFICERS COMMITTED ASSAULTS.
THE REPORT DID NOT PROVIDE
ADDITIONAL DETAILS ON THE
OUTCOMES OF THOSE CASES.
SENATOR SALAZAR SAYS THE DOCCS
DISCIPLINE BILL COULD HELP
IMPROVE THE NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL
FIRINGS.
(05:47):
THE CURRENT PROCESS OF
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING LEAVES THE
FINAL SAY UP TO AN ARBITRATOR
WHO IS IN PART SELECTED BY THE
CORRECTION UNIONS.
SALAZAR SAYS THIS EXISTING
PROCESS IS WHAT RESULTS IN
INADEQUATE DISCIPLINE IN CASES
OF MISCONDUCT AND ABUSE.
>> OUT OF THOUSANDS OF CASES
ANNUALLY THAT DOCCS OR DOCCS
SEEKS DISCIPLINE, A VERY TINY
(06:08):
FRACTION OF THEM ACTUALLY RESULT
IN OFFICERS BEING FIRED.
WE KNOW THAT THREE OF THE
OFFICERS WHO WERE DIRECTLY
INVOLVED IN THE KILLING OF
ROBERT BROOKS WERE-- THEY
PREVIOUSLY FACED DISCIPLINE FOR
CURRENTLY INJURING INCARCERATED
INDIVIDUALS AND THAT DISCIPLINE
WAS DEEPLY INADEQUATE.
THE FACT THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO
(06:28):
CONTINUE TO WORK FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND
ULTIMATELY DO WHAT THEY DID TO
ROBERT, THAT IS A TESTAMENT TO
THE NEED FOR THE DISCIPLINARY
PROCESS TO CHANGE.
>> THE OTHER TWO BILLS WOULD
ESTABLISH NEW STATE ENTITIES TO
OVERSEE THE TREATMENT OF
INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS AND
MANDATE OVERSIGHT REPORTS BY THE
NONPROFIT CORRECTIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK AND
(06:48):
REMOVE CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS FOR
CONDUCTING THOSE REPORTS.
SCAIFFE SAYS ONE OF THE
RESTRICTIONS LIFTED THROUGH
THEIR BILL WOULD ALLOW THEM TO
ACCESS DATA AND RECORDS WITHOUT
HAVING TO FILE A FREEDOM OF
INFORMATION REQUEST.
SCAIFFE SAYS CURRENTLY THE
PROCESS OF GETTING INFORMATION
TAKES SIGNIFICANT PERIODS OF
TIME, SOMETIMES UP TO A YEAR.
>> WHICH WE THINK IS REALLY
NON-CONTROVERSIAL AND A BASIC
(07:11):
STANDARD FOR AN OVERSIGHT
ORGANIZATION, SO THAT IT
UNDERSTANDS WHAT'S GOING ON AND
CAN MAKE SENSE OF WHAT
INCARCERATED PEOPLE AND STAFF
ARE TELLING US WHEN WE ARE
CONDUCTING MONITORING VISITS.
>> ALL THREE PRISON REFORM BILLS
FAILED TO MAKE IT OUT OF
COMMITTEE LAST YEAR WHICH SOME
LAWMAKERS CONTRIBUTE TO THE
SOMETIMES TEDIOUS LEGISLATIVE
PROCESS.
(07:31):
BILLS LIKE THIS TRYING TO
IMPLEMENT SYSTEMATIC CHANGES CAN
ALSO TAKE SEVERAL YEARS TO PASS
BECAUSE OF THE LEVEL OF
STAKEHOLDERS AND THE SHEER
VOLUME OF COMPETING BILLS TAKEN
UP EACH YEAR.
THIS YEAR, HOWEVER, SOME
LAWMAKERS FEEL THERE IS
INCREASING SUPPORT AND MOMENTUM
FOR CHANGE FOLLOWING THE DEATH
OF ROBERT BROOKS.
SALAZAR SAYS SHE IS CAUTIOUSLY
OPTIMISTIC.
>> I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT AND
(07:52):
ENCOURAGED BY THE SUPPORT THAT
WE'RE SEEING ALSO BY
CONVERSATIONS WITH THE EXECUTIVE
CHAMBER ABOUT IT.
>> OTHER LAWMAKERS SUPPORTIVE OF
THE LEGISLATION SAY THEY HOPE TO
SEE THESE BILLS PASS.
STATE SENATOR ZELNICK MYRIE, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
BROOKLYN, SAYS THE LEGISLATURE
NEEDS TO DO EVERYTHING IT CAN TO
IMPROVE TRANSPARENCY AND
ACCOUNTABILITY IN PRISONS.
>> WHAT WE SAW WAS DISGUSTING.
(08:14):
THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN IN A
NEW YORK CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
AND WE SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTING
EVERY SINGLE PROTECTION WE CAN
TO ENSURE THAT INCARCERATED
INDIVIDUALS ARE NEVER SUBJECTED
TO WHAT MR. BROOKS WAS.
>> SOME REPUBLICANS ACROSS THE
AISLE AGREE THERE IS AN ISSUE OF
VIOLENCE IN PRISONS, ABOUT YOU
THEY HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS ABOUT
HOW TO HANDLE IT.
(08:34):
STATE SENATOR ANTHONY PALUMBO, A
REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING PARTS OF
SUFFOLK COUNTY, SAYS THE
LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO ENSURE
THERE IS PROPER FUNDING AND
STAFFING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS.
PALUMBO SAYS A BILL LIKE THE
DOCCS DISCIPLINE BILL MIGHT BE
AN OVERSTEP.
>> THAT'S A REALLY DIFFICULT
THING BECAUSE YOU HAVE A
MEMBERSHIP THAT IS CONTRACTUALLY
BOUND TO AN AGREEMENT AND THEY
(08:55):
USUALLY BARGAIN THAT STUFF OUT
THROUGH THEIR COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING WITH THEIR UNION AND
THE MEMBERS AND THE GOVERNOR,
WHOEVER IT MAY BE, DEPENDING ON
THE AGENCY AND SO THAT'S REALLY
KIND OF AN IMPORTANT THING THAT
I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD GET TOO
INVESTED IN SOMETHING LIKE THAT
IN MICRO MANAGING AN AGENCY LIKE
THAT.
>> OTHER REPUBLICANS STRESS THE
ISSUE STARTS WITH IMPROVING
STAFFING IN PRISONS.
STATE SENATOR PATRICK GALLIVAN,
(09:17):
A REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING PARTS
OF ERIE COUNTY, SAYS HE IS
CONCERNED ABOUT DETERIORATING
STAFFING LEVELS.
>> THE ANSWER DOES NOT LIE IN
JUST ALTERING CORRECTIONAL
OFFICERS' BEHAVIORS.
IT'S FIXING THE ISSUE OF
VIOLENCE IN PRISON ANDS WE START
BY PROPERLY EQUIPPING THEM
ENSURE-- AGAIN, PROPER LEVEL
SUFFICIENT STAFFING, SELECT THE
(09:39):
RIGHT PEOPLE, PROPERLY TRAIN
THEM, PROPERLY EQUIP THEM.
>> WHILE SOME DEMOCRATS SAY THEY
DON'T THINK IT'S ACCURATE TO
SOURCE STAFFING AS A REASON FOR
VIOLENCE IN PRISONS, THERE ARE
WAYS TO DEAL WITH THE STAFFING
ISSUE.
ONE OF THEM BEING TO CLOSE
PRISONS.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER DEMOND MEEKS, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
ROCHESTER, SAYS TO HIS
UNDERSTANDING THE STATE HAS THE
ABILITY TO CLOSE SEVERAL
PRISONS, A MEASURE APPROVED IN
(10:00):
LAST YEAR'S FINAL BUDGET.
HE ALSO STANDS WITH HIS
COLLEAGUES CALLING TO CLOSE
MARCY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.
>> THIS ISN'T A ONE-AND-DONE.
THEY HAVE A TRACK RECORD, SO DO
OTHER FACILITIES ACROSS THE
STATE, BUT A TRACK RECORD OF
BRUTALITY AND IT'S UNACCEPTABLE.
>> FOR MANY ADVOCATES ALSO
CALLING FOR THE CLOSURE OF MARCY
AND DEMANDING JUSTICE THIS ISSUE
(10:21):
IS PERSONAL.
STANLEY BELLANY, A COMMUNITY
ORGANIZER FOR RAPP, THE RELEASE
AGING PEOPLE IN PRISON, OR RAPP
CAMPAIGN, SAYS THIS ISSUE MEANS
A LOT TO HIM HAVING SERVED 37
AND A HALF YEARS IN PRISON.
HE SAYS HE HAS SEEN OFFICER
BRUTALITY AND INHUMANE TREATMENT
FIRSTHAND.
>> I HAVE WATCHED OFFICERS
MURDERED INCARCERATED PEOPLE AND
NO ACCOUNTABILITY.
(10:43):
ONLY THING FOR SOME OF THEM,
THEY WERE ASKED TO LEAVE THEIR
JOB.
THEY WAS NEVER ARRESTED.
THEY WAS NEVER CHARGED.
THEY WERE NEVER PENALIZED
WHATSOEVER AND THAT'S WHY THIS
ISSUE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.
BECAUSE I STILL HAVE FAMILY
MEMBERS THAT'S INCARCERATED THAT
WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THIS SAME
TYPE OF BEHAVIOR IF IT'S NOT
ADDRESSED AND CHANGED.
>> BELLANY SAYS HIS EXPERIENCE
IN PRISON STAYS WITH HIM EVEN
(11:04):
NOW THAT HE IS OUT.
>> I DID 37 1/2 YEARS AND I'M
STILL COPING WITH THAT SYSTEM
THAT I LEFT AND I'M ONLY BEEN
HOME 20 MONTHS SO IT'S
TRAUMATIZING.
>> BELLANY ISN'T ALONE.
ADVOCATE THOMAS GANT WHO SERVED
25 YEARS IN PRISON SAYS AFTER
JUST SEEING PARTS OF THE
RELEASED VIDEO OF ROBERT BROOKS,
HE HAD NIGHTMARES.
>> MY WIFE HAD TO SHOVE ME AWAKE
(11:25):
TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW.
I WAS IN MY SLEEP CRYING, RIGHT,
AND YOU KNOW, MOANING AND DOING
ALL THESE DIFFERENT-- HAVING
THESE DIFFERENT REACTIONS.
SO IT'S A SUBCONSCIOUS THING FOR
ME.
MY TRAUMA GOES DEEP, AS YOU CAN
IMAGINE 25 YEARS OF THAT, OF
BEING TREATED LESS THAN, YOU
KNOW, NOT BEING AFFORDED AN
(11:46):
OPPORTUNITY TO WALK WITH
DIGNITY, RESPECT AND MY
HUMANNESS.
AND SO THAT DOES SOMETHING TO
YOU.
>> THE CONDITIONS OF THE PRISON
SYSTEM AREN'T JUST HARD ON
INMATES AND FORMALLY
INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS.
IT'S ALSO HARD ON THE FAMILIES.
CAROLINE HANSON, A COMMUNITY
LEADER FOR RAPP, SAYS SHE
WORRIES ABOUT HER HUSBAND
CURRENTLY SERVING LIFE WITHOUT
(12:06):
PAROLE ALL THE TIME.
>> I LIVE IN FEAR EVERY DAY WHEN
THAT PHONE RINGS THAT HE COULD
BE THE NEXT ROBERT BROOKS.
WE HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS, AND I
THINK ABOUT ROBERT BROOKS'
FAMILY AND HIS MOTHER, HIS
CHILDREN AND ITS BREAKS MY
HEART.
>> BECAUSE OF HER EXPERIENCE,
HANSON IS PASSIONATE LIKE MANY
OTHERS ABOUT ADVOCATING FOR
CHANGE.
FOR A RECENT PRESS CONFERENCE IN
(12:26):
ALBANY, SHE WOKE UP AT 4:00 A.M.
TO GET TO THE CAPITOL FOR AN
AFTERNOON RALLY.
THIS IS AN ISSUE ADVOCATES, LIKE
HANSON, HAVE BEEN RALLYING FOR A
LONG TIME.
BELLANY STRESSES THIS INCIDENT,
IN PARTICULAR, HAS GAINED A LOT
OF ATTENTION BECAUSE IT WAS
CAUGHT ON CAMERA.
>> THE ONLY REASON WHY THIS IS
AN ISSUE NOW IS BECAUSE THE
WHOLE WORLD GOT TO SEE IT, BUT
WE'VE BEEN TELLING THEM THIS HAS
BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS AND
(12:47):
NOTHING HAS HAPPENED OR BEEN
DONE TO CHANGE IT, AND THAT'S
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.
SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.
FOR MANY OF US, THE FORMALLY
INCARCERATED THIS IS OUR GEORGE
FLOYD MOMENT.
>> BODY CAMERAS ARE A TOPIC OF
BUDGET DISCUSSIONS.
IT CAME UP OFTEN IN A RECENT
BUDGET HEARING FOCUSING ON
PUBLIC PROTECTION.
THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED IN HER
BUDGET $400 MILLION FOR THE
ACCELERATION AND CONTINUED
INSTALLATION OF FIXED CAMERAS IN
(13:09):
ALL FACILITIES AND $18.4 MILLION
FOR THE EXPANSION OF BODY-WORN
CAMERA PROGRAM.
DOCCS COMMISSIONER DANIEL
MARTUSCELLO, WHEN ASKED A
QUESTION DURING THE RECENT
BUDGET HEARING ABOUT WHAT SHOULD
BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE
DISCIPLINARY PROCESS, SAYS
CAMERAS HAVE HELPED
TREMENDOUSLY.
HOWEVER, WHILE MANY LAWMAKERS ON
BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE SAY THEY
ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS BUDGET
ITEM, SOME LAWMAKERS SAY THERE
(13:29):
HAS TO BE BETTER ENFORCEMENT OF
THE USE OF CAMERA THE.
>> IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE
A UNIVERSAL BODYGUARD CAMERA
POLICY.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE FIXED
CAMERAS ADEQUATE ACROSS
FACILITIES AND SO I SUPPORT THE
FUNDING TO ENSURE THAT HAPPENS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THERE NEEDS TO
(13:50):
BE CONSEQUENCED WHEN THE POLICY
IS NOT FOLLOWED.
>> MARTUSCELLO SAID IN THE
HEARING HE IS FOCUSED ON
ACCOUNTABILITY AND RE-ITERATED
HIS CONDEMNATION OF THE
EXCESSIVE FORCE USED AGAINST
ROBERT BROOKS.
SOME LAWMAKERS WERE NOT HAPPY
WITH HIS ANSWERS DURING THE
HEARING.
STATE SENATOR JABARI BRISPORT, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
BROOKLYN, SAYS WHILE THE DOCCS
COMMISSIONER STRESSED A FOCUS ON
ACCOUNTABILITY, HE SEEMS TO HAVE
(14:11):
NEGLECTED MAKING CHANGES AROUND
THIS VERY ISSUE FOR YEARS AT
THIS POINT.
>> I WOULD SAY ONE OF THE MOST
FRUSTRATING THINGS THAT I
BROUGHT UP WHEN I WAS
QUESTIONING HIM WAS THAT IN HIS
OPENING STATEMENTS, HE HAD A
SLEW OF REFORMS.
THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT
IMPLEMENTING IN THE WAKE OF
ROBERT BROOKS' MURDER AND THAT
BEGS THE QUESTION, WHY WASN'T
ANY OF THIS DONE BEFORE?
(14:32):
>> WMHT REACHED OUT MULTIPLE
TIMES TO DOCCS TO ASK FURTHER
QUESTIONS BUT THEY DECLINED TO
COMMENT.
WMHT ALSO TRIED TO TALK TO THE
COMMISSIONER AND ASK FURTHER
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STATE'S
HANDLING OF ROBERT BROOKS'S
DEATH AND OTHER MISCONDUCT,
AFTER THE PUBLIC PROTECTION
HEARING, BUT MARTUSCELLO EVADED
REPORTERS, SWIFTLY TRYING TO
EXIT THE BUILDING.
IT'S CLEAR THIS ISSUE WILL
CONTINUE TO BE ON LAWMAKERS'
MINDS AS SESSION MOVES ALONG.
(14:54):
AGAIN, THESE BILLS ARE STILL IN
COMMITTEE, BUT MANY LAWMAKERS
SAY IF THE POLITICAL WILL IS THERE
THEY WILL PASS.
SO FAR THAT WILL SEEMS TO BE
PRESENT.
ELISE KLINE, NEW YORK NOW.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> NOW TURNING TO ANOTHER
IMPORTANT TOPIC.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER JESSICA
GONZÁLEZ-ROJAS IS PUSHING FOR
A BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE
(15:14):
INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR INHALERS
IN THE STATE BUDGET.
IF ENACTED, THE DEPARTMENT OF
FINANCIAL SERVICES WOULD THEN BE
TASKED WITH MONITORING THEIR
COMPLIANCE.
TO UNPACK THE BILL AND THE
SUPPORT AROUND IT, WE SAT DOWN
WITH THE ASSEMBLY MEMBER.
HERE'S THAT INTERVIEW.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING
(15:35):
THE TIME TO SPEAK WITH US TODAY,
ASSEMBLY MEMBER.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> NOW I'M SO EXCITED TO TALK
ABOUT YOUR BILL THAT WOULD
REQUIRE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR
INHALERS AT NO COST.
CAN YOU TELL US SOME INSIGHT
INTO THAT BILL AND WHY IT WAS
IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO SPONSOR IT?
>> YES. SO RIGHT NOW IN NEW
YORK, WE HAVE OVER A MILLION
PEOPLE WHO LIVE WITH ASTHMA,
(15:56):
300,000 CHILDREN, AND WE KNOW
THAT THE INHALERS ARE A
LIFE-SAVING DEVICE.
LIKE THEY LITERALLY CANNOT GO
WITHOUT IT AND LAST YEAR IN OUR
BUDGET, WE WERE ABLE TO PASS A
BILL IN THE BUDGET THAT WAS
SPONSORED BY ASSEMBLY WOMAN
PHARA SOUFFRANT FORREST TO HAVE
INSULIN WITHOUT COSTS.
(16:19):
THIS MEANS THERE'S NO COPAY, NO
COINSURANCE, NO DEDUCTIBLE TO
COVER THIS LIFE-SAVING DEVICE
WHICH IS INSULIN.
SO I WAS REALLY INSPIRED BY THAT
BILL.
I ALSO REPRESENT ASTHMA ALLEY IN
QUEENS.
I HAVE NORTH ASTORIA IN MY
DISTRICT.
MY SENATE PARTNER IS SENATOR
RIVERA, WHO HAS THE BRONX AND
(16:40):
THE BRONX IS NOTORIOUSLY SUFFERS
WITH HIGH ASTHMA RATES.
ALSO IN QUEENS, SOUTH QUEENS
THERE'S HIGH ASTHMA RATES AS
WELL.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT IMPACTS MY
COMMUNITY PERSONALLY.
MY SENATE SPONSOR'S COMMUNITY
PERSONALLY AND WE'RE REALLY
INVESTED IN NOT JUST LOWERING
THE COST FOR INHALERS BUT
(17:01):
GETTING RID OF COPAYS,
COINSURANCE AND DEDUCTIBLES
COMPLETELY.
THIS IS A LIFE-SAVING DEVICE AND
IT SHOULDN'T COST SO MUCH TO
BREATHE.
>> AND GIVEN THE TIME WE'RE IN
WHERE WE SEE RECORD HIGH
INFLATION AND RISING COSTS OF
GROCERIES, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING
FROM CONSTITUENTS ABOUT HOW
PAYING FOR THINGS LIKE INHALERS
IS IMPACTING THEIR POCKETS AND
(17:22):
THEIR LIVELIHOOD?
>> YEAH, WE WERE REALLY INSPIRE
BID LIKE ACTIVIST FRIENDS OF
MINE WHO HAVE CHILDREN.
THEY WERE PAYING LIKE $200 PER
CHILD FOR THESE INHALERS
WHENEVER THEY NEEDED IT AND THAT
COST WAS SUCH A BURDEN ON THE
RISING COSTS OF FOOD AND RENT
AND ALL THE THINGS THAT, YOU
KNOW, EVERYDAY NEW YORKERS ARE
STRUGGLING WITH.
(17:42):
SO TO HEAR HER STORY, TO SEE HOW
SHE'S STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS
MEET, AND ACKNOWLEDGING THAT
THESE CHILDREN NEED THEIR
INHALERS, RIGHT, TO BREATHE, AND
IT IS JUST SO CRITICAL TO THE
HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF OUR
CHILDREN, OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT
THOSE STORIES INSPIRED ME TO
INTRODUCE THE BILL IN ADDITION
TO HAVING AND SEEING THE DATA
(18:02):
AROUND THE HIGH RATES OF ASTHMA
IN MY DISTRICT, THE QUEENS AND
THE BRONX AND ACROSS THE STATE
REALLY
>> IT'S CLEAR THAT AFFORDABILITY
IS THE BIG THEME THIS SESSION.
I WANTED TO GET YOUR TAKE IF THE
GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS
ARE IN LINE WITH YOUR VISION FOR
LOWERING OR ELIMINATING THE COST
OF INHALERS FOR NEW YORKERS.
(18:24):
DO YOU THINK THEY'RE FULLY
BEHIND THIS MEASURE?
>> WELL, WE WERE MEETING WITH
THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ABOUT IT.
WE WERE HOPING IT WOULD BE IN
THE BUDGET SO IT HASN'T YET
EMERGED BUT IT'S STILL NOT TOO
LATE.
WE ARE IN THE THROWS OF BUDGET
NEGOTIATIONS AND AGAIN, WE WERE
REALLY THRILLED THAT SHE WAS
ABLE TO DO THIS FOR INSULIN LAST
YEAR, AND IT WAS SOMETHING THAT
SHE TOUTED AND WAS VERY PROUD
OF.
(18:44):
THAT IS PROBABLY SAVING LIVES
AND WE WANT TO SAVE LIVES AS
WELL IN MAKING SURE THAT FOLKS
WHO LIVE WITH ASTHMA ARE ABLE TO
GET THESE LIFE-SAVING DEVICES
WITHOUT COSTS.
SO IT SEEMS ALIGNED WITH HER
VISION OF AFFORDABILITY FOR NEW
YORKERS AND OBVIOUSLY HEALTH AND
WELLBEING IS SO CENTRAL TO THAT
AND PEOPLE, AGAIN, SHOULDN'T
HAVE TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS.
WE HEAR COSTS UP TO $640 FOR
(19:07):
INHALER, JUST ONE INHALER.
SO THESE ARE COSTS THAT NO ONE
SHOULD BEAR IN ORDER TO BREATHE.
IT'S A VITAL LIFE FUNCTION AND
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERY NEW
YORKER IS HEALTHY AND THIS IS
ONE WAY TO DO THAT.
>> WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT
CONVERSATIONS LIKE WITH YOUR
FELLOW LAWMAKERS IN THE ASSEMBLY
CHAMBER ABOUT THIS MEASURE?
>> WE'RE REALLY EXCITED.
(19:27):
I MEAN, WE GOT A LOT OF SUPPORT.
WE HIT THE GROUND RUNNING IN THE
SUMMER WITH THIS BILL.
THE MAYOR OF ROCHESTER JUST CAME
UP TO ALBANY TO TESTIFY LAST
WEEK.
WE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE RATES
OF ASTHMA IN ROCHESTER HAVE
SKYROCKETED AND HE SUPPORTS THE
BILL AND ALREADY ISSUED A MEMO
(19:48):
OF SUPPORT FOR THIS BILL, SO WE
WERE THRILLED TO NOT JUST TALK
TO OUR DIRECT COLLEAGUES BUT
ALSO OTHER PUBLIC OFFICIALS THAT
ARE DEALING WITH THESE HIGH
RATES OF ASTHMA IN THEIR
COMMUNITIES AND WANT TO MAKE
SURE THAT THEIR COMMUNITIES HAVE
ACCESS TO THOSE LIFE-SAVING
DEVICES.
THAT WAS REALLY WONDERFUL.
SO WE'RE PUSHING ALONG.
WE'RE GETTING CLOSE, AND AGAIN,
(20:10):
MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR'S
OFFICE IN THE HOPE THAT SHE
WOULD INCLUDE THIS IN THE FINAL
BUDGET.
>> ARE WE ANTICIPATING ANY COSTS
FOR THE STATE TO HAVE THAT
MONITORING?
>> IT WOULD REALLY JUST-- IT'S
THE COMPANIES THAT MAKE IT,
RIGHT.
SO WE HEAR OF THESE BIG
COMPANIES LIKE ASTRAZENECA OR
GLAXOSMITHKLINE WHERE THEY'RE
CHARGING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN
THE UNITED STATES BUT CHARGING
(20:31):
$9 OR $14 IN EUROPE OR GERMANY,
RIGHT, SO IT'S REALLY JUST
HAVING THEM NOT MAKE PROFIT OFF
THESE KINDS OF LIFE-SAVING
DEVICES.
SO WE DON'T ANTICIPATE A COST TO
THE STATE.
IT'S REALLY THE INSURANCE
COMPANIES THAT WOULD JUST HAVE
TO PROVIDE THIS AS PART OF THEIR
INSURANCE PACKAGES.
>> YEAH. AND AS YOU MENTIONED
BEFORE, THE STATE DEPARTMENT
(20:53):
REPORTED THAT OVER 1.5 MILLION
NEW YORKERS STRUGGLE WITH
ASTHMA.
SO FROM YOUR PURVIEW, WHY HASN'T
SOMETHING LIKE THIS BEEN PUT
INTO PLACE TO HELP NEW YORKERS?
>> WELL, WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO
FIGHT.
IT'S PUBLIC ADVOCATES LIKE
MYSELF, LIKE SENATOR RIVERA WHO
ARE REALLY THINKING ABOUT THE
IMPACT OF THE COSTS OF CARE FOR
(21:13):
NEW YORKERS WHO ARE STRUGGLING.
THE OTHER THING TO NOTE IS THAT
300,000 CHILDREN THAT ARE
STRUGGLING WITH ASTHMA AND OFTEN
MISSING DAYS FROM SCHOOL AND
AGAIN, YOU KNOW, NOT BEING ABLE
TO PARTICIPATE, PLAY OUTSIDE, DO
THINGS THAT NORMAL CHILDREN
SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO BECAUSE
THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THEIR
INHALERS.
SO THIS IS ABOUT BOTH
(21:33):
AFFORDABILITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH.
>> YEAH. AND THERE ARE SOME
OTHER STATES WHO HAVE SIMILAR
MEASURES, SUCH AS MINNESOTA, NEW
JERSEY, RHODE ISLAND, ILLINOIS,
SO I WAS CURIOUS.
HOW WOULD THE NEW YORK LAW BE
DIFFERENT OR SIMILAR FROM WHAT
HAS BEEN PUT FORTH IN THOSE
OTHER STATES?
>> SO THOSE STATES HAVE CAPPED
THE COST, WHICH IS GREAT.
I THINK BETWEEN $25 AND $35, BUT
(21:55):
HERE IN, NO, OUR BILL WOULD MAKE
THIS TOTALLY FREE TO PATIENTS SO
THEY'RE NOT PAYING ANY
DEDUCTIBLE, ANY COPAYS, NO
COINSURANCE.
THAT'S HOW WE'RE DIFFERENT
BECAUSE, AGAIN, WE WANT TO LEAD
IN THESE AREAS AND WE WANT TO BE
THE BEST ADVOCATES FOR THE
HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF OUR NEW
YORKERS AND IT'S WONDERFUL THAT
(22:16):
OTHER STATES HAVE DONE IT, ABOUT
YOU WE CERTAINLY SHOULD GET
AHEAD AND BE THE STATE OUT FRONT
AND ENSURING THAT EVERY PERSON
HAS ACCESS TO THESE LIFE-SAVING
DEVICES FOR FREE.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
AND LASTLY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE
ABOUT TWO MONTHS INTO THE
SESSION.
WE'RE THICK INTO BUDGET
NEGOTIATIONS.
SO WHAT WILL BE YOUR STRATEGY TO
ENSURE THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS
MAKES IT INTO THE FINAL ENACTED
(22:37):
BUDGET AND THIS ISN'T A LOST
PRIORITY AT THE CAPITOL?
>> YEAH. SO WE'RE CIRCULATING A
LETTER TO OUR COLLEAGUES.
AGAIN, WE HAVE MEMBERS AND
SPONSORS ON THE BILL.
WE'RE CONTINUING OUR
CONVERSATION WITH THE GOVERNOR'S
OFFICE AND WE'RE JUST WORKING TO
DO EDUCATION AND AGAIN, JUST THE
INSPIRATION OF WHAT HAPPENED
LAST YEAR WITH THE INSULIN BILL.
AGAIN, IT'S JUST REALLY, REALLY
(22:58):
CRITICAL THAT WE LOOK AT OTHER
LIFE-SAVING DEVICES.
AGAIN, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT
SOMEONE NEEDS TO BREATHE AND AS
WE SAY, IT SHOULDN'T COST SO
MUCH TO BREATHE.
THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT
COULD REALLY HELP EVERYDAY NEW
YORKERS BE WELL, BE HEALTHY IN
THE STATE AND WE HAVE A LOT OF
SUPPORT.
IT'S JUST CONTINUING TO PUSH IN
A TIME WHERE, YOU KNOW, THE
FUTURE IS UNCERTAIN IN TERMS OF
(23:19):
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BUT I
KNOW IN NEW YORK WE REALLY WANT
TO ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY AND THE
HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF OUR
NEIGHBORS.
>> WELL, SOUNDS LIKE A LOT TO
LOOK FORWARD TO AND
UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S ALL THE
TIME WE HAVE FOR TODAY, BUT WE
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE
TIME TO SPEAK WITH US TODAY,
ASSEMBLY MEMBER.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH
(23:40):
ASSEMBLY MEMBER JESSICA
GONZÁLEZ-ROJAS.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> NOW TURN TO OUR LAST TOPIC
WHERE WE'LL BE DIVING INTO THE
IMPACTFUL WORK OF A COMMUNITY
LEADER IN THE CAPITAL REGION.
FOR YEARS, EVA BASS WORKED TO
PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES, SUPPORTS
AND RESOURCES TO HER COMMUNITY
WITH HER NONPROFIT
(24:01):
ORGANIZATIONS.
THAT WORK IS DONE IN PART
THROUGH AN ORGANIZATION KNOWN AS
BRIDGE THE GAP, WHICH THRIVES TO
ADDRESS SYSTEMIC SERVICE GAPS.
HERE'S THAT STORY.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> TODAY IF YOU'RE JUST COMING
IN OR IF YOU DON'T REALIZE
WHAT'S GOING ON, THIS IS OUR
SECOND A STATE OF THE COMMUNITY
ADDRESS.
(24:22):
MY NAME IS EVA BASS AND I'M THE
CEO AND FOUNDER OF BRIDGE THE
GAP RESOURCE AND OUTREACH,
INCORPORATED, AND I AM THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF A VILLAGE,
INC.
BRIDGE THE GAP IS A COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATION THAT FOCUSES ON
HELPING PEOPLE HAVE THE TOOLS TO
BE THEIR BEST.
WE DO THAT BY MENTORSHIP, BUT
ALSO BRINGING RESOURCES CLOSER
(24:43):
TO THE COMMUNITY.
YOU'VE BEEN HERE FOR ONE YEAR.
[ APPLAUSE ]
WHOA! THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING
ABOUT.
I CAME TO THIS WORK BECAUSE OF
MY LIFE EXPERIENCES.
I GREW UP IN FOSTER CARE.
I GREW UP IN A HOUSE OF MENTAL
HEALTH ISSUES AND I'VE BEEN ON
MY OWN SINCE I WAS 14, A SINGLE
(25:04):
MOM.
I'VE BEEN THROUGH DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE, LIKE ALL THOSE THINGS.
I JUST CHOSE TO CHANGE MY PAIN
AND MY STORY INTO A SOLUTION FOR
OTHERS.
THE WAY I LEAD IS SIDE BY SIDE
WITH MY COMMUNITY, WITH MY
PARTNER INS WITH MY STAFF, WITH
MY VOLUNTEERS.
I ALWAYS REMIND THEM I'M JUST
MS. EVA.
I'M HERE. I CAME FROM THE SAME
(25:24):
PLACES YOU CAME AND WE'RE DOING
THIS FOR US AS A COLLECTIVE
VERSUS FOR SOME KIND OF PERSONAL
AGENDA.
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU GUYS
TAKING THIS TIME OUT TO REALLY
HEAR WHAT'S GOING ON.
SO IN MY LONG LINE OF WORK, I
HAVE HAD TO FIGHT SO HARD TO
JUST CONVINCE PEOPLE THE REAL
(25:46):
NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE DONE A COMMUNITY IMPACT
SURVEY AND NOW WE HAVE THE FACTS
TO THE HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE.
I TOOK A STEP BACK AND I MADE A
COMMITMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
CREATED DATA-BASED INFORMATION
SO THAT WE CAN STEER OUR OWN
SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE BUT
ALSO HOLD OTHER ORGANIZATIONS,
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND LEADERS
(26:06):
ACCOUNTABLE TO MAKE SURE TO
PRIORITIZE THE REAL NEEDS OF THE
COMMUNITY.
MY WHOLE VISION IS SEEING THAT
WE'RE PROVIDING A SERVICE FOR
OUR COMMUNITY TO BE ABLE TO HAVE
A SAFE HAVEN WHERE THEY CAN BE
THEIR AUTHENTIC SELF AND THEY'RE
NOT BEING JUDGED BUT WHEN THEY
WALK INTO BRIDGE THE GAP, IT
FEELS LIKE HOME.
(26:27):
>> WELL, THAT DOES IT FOR THIS
EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."
THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN AND SEE
YOU NEXT WEEK.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>>ANNOUNCER (26:36):
FUNDING FOR "NEW
YORK NOW" IS PROVIDED BY WNET.
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