Paul Szmal: We're visiting with State Senator Pam Helming here on FLX Morning. Senator Helming, good morning, how are you?
Pam Helming: Good morning, Paul. I'm doing great.
Paul Szmal: I know you have been very, very busy signing some legislation. Unfortunately, one of the pieces of legislation you put out, I understand, got vetoed.
Pam Helming: Yes, unfortunately, the governor went ahead and vetoed the Rural Suicide Prevention Bill that I had passed unanimously in both houses, both the Senate and the Assembly. It's unfortunate, and I really appreciate all of the constituents throughout the 54th Senate District, and actually across the state of New York, who rallied in support of the bill, who wrote letters to the governor, signed my petition calling on the governor to sign the bill into law. But I'm not done yet. We'll keep pushing this in the new session.
Paul Szmal: Yeah, what is the recourse on a state level when something gets vetoed by the governor after it's come through both houses of state government? Is there the two-thirds majority to override the veto, much like we hear about on federal issues?
Pam Helming: Yes, actually, in the state Senate, since they have a supermajority status, also in the Assembly, they do have the ability currently to override a veto of the governor. I will say that come January, that is going to change in the state Senate. The Minority Conference, the Republican Conference, we picked up one additional seat in November's election. So in January, the Majority Conference, the Democrats will no longer have that veto-proof supermajority status.
Paul Szmal: So you're going to continue working on that, but I know that you also helped to author some other pieces of legislation that have passed through. Can you tell us about some of those?
Pam Helming: Yes, so I think one important piece of legislation, and this goes back to when I represented Seneca County, and there were quite a few people who helped me with this bill, Melanie's Law. I co-sponsored the legislation, the governor signed it into law, and this bill, it's important because it expands protections for those who are impacted by domestic violence. It's named after a young woman who was murdered by her mother's ex-boyfriend while he was awaiting sentencing for a domestic violence felony. And Melanie's mother was able to get orders of protection for Melanie's children and for other people who are living in the home, but because of Melanie's age, she wasn't able to get an order of protection. That was a loophole that existed in our law. So under this new law, any family or household members of victims, regardless of their age, can be issued orders of protection against perpetrators of domestic violence. So it was important to close that loophole. I'm thankful that we were able to do that, but I truly feel that, you know, this is just a beginning. There's still so much more work that needs to be done to present, oh goodness, to protect victims of domestic violence. And I would hope that that piece of legislation had some wide bipartisan support.
Paul Szmal: Yes, it absolutely did.
Paul Szmal: So what other items are you currently in the process of working on right now that are either maybe going through committee or ready to be presented on the Senate floor, so to speak?
Pam Helming: So right now, I'm meeting with a lot of constituents. I have several meetings set up with school superintendents from across the 54th Senate District to talk about the Rockefeller Center recently released their recommendations on the way schools should be funded. So I'm looking forward to the feedback from my school superintendents. Meeting with local businesses. I met last night with the board of directors of the Livingston County Chamber of Commerce. I toured a local manufacturing plant in Bloomfield yesterday, just really looking for feedback from businesses, community leaders on, you know, I'm out there asking them literally, if you had a magic wand and could ask the government to change one thing, what would that be? And more often than not, the response I get is to eliminate some of the unnecessary mandates. Some of those mandates that driving up the cost of new home construction that are creating uncertainty among our businesses and giving them pause on whether or not, you know, they want to plan to expand in the future or new businesses. Do they want to locate to New York State? So this time of year, it's really gathering information. Our conference, the Senate Republican Conference, we go back on December 16th and then full session begins the beginning of January.
Paul Szmal: That's right. Yeah. Yeah. You're on January to June for the sessions, correct?
Pam Helming: Yes, that is correct.
Paul Szmal: We're talking with State Senator Pam Helming here on FLX Morning. We always like to touch base on some of the other things that are happening outside the houses of government whenever we talk to any of our elected representatives. And I know you recently presented a New York State commendation award to Patty Hotchkiss. Can you tell us about that?
Pam Helming: Yes, that was it was so moving to be able to do that. That is one of the greatest things about being a state senator is being able to recognize the outstanding citizens in the community who, you know, they're unsung heroes. We don't hear about them, but they're doing amazing things. And Patty Hotchkiss certainly was deserving of the New York State Senate Commendation Award. For more than 30 years, Patty's been serving free Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to those in need. She focuses so often on helping our veterans. Patty was also a small business owner. I don't know if you ever stopped at Patty's place on Main Street in Canandaigua, but oh, yes, yes, yes. She owned that up until I think 2017, 2018. So Patty is a beloved figure in the community. And again, one of those unsung heroes who behind the scenes, and it's not only at Thanksgiving and Christmas, it's all year round, that she is instrumental in helping people whatever their needs are. I think of her as a matchmaker, right? She sees people who have a need, and then she knows other people who are able to help fill that need, and she brings them together.
Paul Szmal: I have to ask, have you ever had the cinnamon roll French toast at Patty's place?
Pam Helming: I don't think I have. The omelets are my favorite.
Paul Szmal: Yeah, next time you happen to be there, if you're there for breakfast, and they have the cinnamon roll French toast, you need to try that. If you're a fan of like a cinnamon bun, it's amazing.
Pam Helming: Oh, I am. Absolutely amazing. My stomach's growling right now.
Paul Szmal: I know, mine's growling just thinking about the food, just thinking about it.
Paul Szmal: We're continuing our conversation here on FLX Morning with State Senator Pam Helming. You also presented an Empire Award recently to the Canandaigua Knights U-10 travel team. They did an amazing job in fundraising.
Pam Helming: They absolutely did. So one of the lead coaches, the head coach, Tori Carissimo, I've known Tori for years. He went to school with my kids in Canandaigua, but Tori is the coach of the 10U Knights travel hockey team. And he also refs games up in Rochester, actually all over the state of New York. And he was at an event where he saw the Hockey Fights Cancer event occurring. And he thought, you know what, I'm going to bring that back, present it to my U-10 hockey team, and see if maybe we can raise a couple thousand dollars to help out. All the money that's raised goes directly to the American Cancer Society. So Tori, working with his team and the parents of his team members, put together this event, which I have to tell you, Paul, it was outstanding. I was actually nervous going out on the ice. Not so much that I was going to slip, but it was just like this major production with lights and sound and first time I've ever been involved in anything at that scale. But this young team worked really, really hard. They sold sweatshirts. They had raffle baskets. They raised more than $40,000, which, you know, for the small team, small hometown, to be able to pull this off, I think it's just outstanding. And it was, again, it was just such an honor to be able to present them with the New York State Empire Award, which is, it's an application that I have to make to the State Senate and get approved to be able to award this distinguished Empire Award. It's given to businesses or not-for-profits that go above and beyond and do outstanding things in their community. So the Candy One Nights U10 Travel Hockey Team and raising this impressive amount of money, it just, it certainly fit the bill.
Paul Szmal: I want to take a moment too to talk about one of the events that you're going to be participating in, and that is Wreaths Across America.
Pam Helming: Oh, another. Boy, these are all like tear-jerker moments. Wreaths Across America. Paul, have you been out to the event at Sampson?
Paul Szmal: I have not had the pleasure.
Pam Helming: It is just so beautiful, so moving. On December 14th, across the United States, Wreaths Across America are held and at cemeteries across the United States, wreaths are placed on veterans' graves. And it's a national program. The mission is to remember, honor, and teach. And I have to tell you, at our State Veterans Cemetery in Seneca County out at Sampson, I have been there a number of times. It is the most moving ceremony I think I've ever participated in. It's just beautiful. Last year, I was in Canandaigua. We started the Wreaths Across America at two of our local cemeteries. So I participated in one of those. This year, I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to make it out to Sampson. If not Sampson, I've been invited to attend the Farmington event. But for your listeners, if you have an opportunity, if you have a couple of hours on December 14th, please go out and visit. So often too, the people who are there are asked to help place one of the wreaths. And again, it's just, it's incredible. I think it's a wonderful event to take young people to just, again, as the theme is to remember, honor, and teach, to teach our young folks, our next generation of leaders, the significance of the work of our veterans. And it's just a beautiful ceremony.
Paul Szmal: And I wanted to wrap things up for our conversation today by talking about one of your favorite causes during the course of the holiday season. It's a favorite of many, and that is the annual Toys for Tots campaign.
Pam Helming: Absolutely. We are collecting new unwrapped toys in my office, my main district office in Canandaigua. We're located on North Street, just across the street from Tots. And I have to say, Paul, this year, I wasn't sure what to expect, just because I know so many people are struggling. Affordability is an issue for everyone. And so far, the community has been so generous. Our box is filling up. And if anyone else is in a position able to donate a new toy, the toys stay local. I work with the local Marine Corps detachment on this project. Again, we'd appreciate any help that anyone would like to provide.
Paul Szmal: Well, Senator Helming, as always, it is great to talk to you. I hope you have a wonderful, wonderful holiday season and a great start to the new year when you head back to do the legislative work that you do in Albany.
Pam Helming: Thank you very much. Merry Christmas to you and happy holidays.
