Newsletter: July 2003: Albany Legislators Listen Up to Advocates

This year’s legislative day was a resounding success. The day started off early with the downstate delegation leaving by bus from Grand Central Station at 6:30am for Albany. During a training session on the bus, the advocates were given information on their elected officials and updates on pending legislation. With a pending budget crisis, our advocates were encouraged to talk to their legislators about the importance of securing funding for rape crisis programs.

Advocates were also encouraged to speak about the importance of the clean up of the Sexual Assault Reform Act of 2000 and passing the Forensic Payment Act of 2003. This year the Forensic Payment Act was reintroduced, again sponsored by Assemblymember Susan John (A.11) and State Senator Michael Nozzolio (S.958). Prior to Legislative Awareness Day, the bill had gained momentum, passing the Assembly at the beginning of April. Advocates encouraged legislators to maintain that momentum for both bills, and this summer, just before the close of the legislative session, both were passed! (See Legislative Update in this issue.)

The New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault declared the day to be a success, and the Alliance joins them in congratulating the advocates for their hard work.

Martha Kenton is a former Social Work Student Policy Intern at the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault. [[2] more]

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[1]: http://www.nycagainstrape.org/home/nycaasa/stage.nycagainstrape.org/newsletter_author_107.html
[2]: http://www.nycagainstrape.org/home/nycaasa/stage.nycagainstrape.org/newsletter_author_107.html
[3]: http://www.nycagainstrape.org/home/nycaasa/stage.nycagainstrape.org/newsletter_article_128.html
[4]: http://www.nycagainstrape.org/home/nycaasa/stage.nycagainstrape.org/newsletter_article_130.html

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