O’Donnell and Gunther Hold Hearing to Examine the Experience of Mentally Ill Inmates
Nov 13, 2014
Today, Assembly Member O’Donnell and Assembly Member Aileen Gunther held a joint hearing to examine the experience of the mentally ill in New York’s correctional system. The hearing was structured to reflect the experience of a mentally ill inmate,...
O’Donnell Plans Fall Hearing on Mental Health in Prisons, Continues to Pursue Aggressive Measures to Reform NYS Correctional System
Sep 14, 2014
Today, continuing his efforts to reform New York State’s correctional system, Assembly Member O’Donnell announced his plan to convene an investigatory hearing this fall on mental health in state and city correctional facilities. Assembly O’Donnell...
Correction Committee Chair O’Donnell Calls for Special Prosecutor for Rikers Island
Sep 6, 2014
In light of recent reports of frequent and unprosecuted violence at Rikers Island, Assembly Member O’Donnell called today on Governor Cuomo to appoint Attorney General Eric Schneiderman as a special prosecutor to investigate all cases originating at...
O’Donnell Statement on the Latest Traffic Fatality on UWS
Jul 10, 2014
Today, Assembly Member O’Donnell mourned the tragic death of Jean Chambers, 61, who was killed by a turning car on West 95th Street and West End Avenue this morning. Today we all mourn the untimely loss of a valued member of our community. We did not...
O'Donnell Bill to Lower NYC Speed Limit on Its Way to Governor's Desk
Jun 20, 2014
Yesterday, Assembly Member O’Donnell shepherded a bill to lower the New York City speed limit to 25 mph, A10144, through the Assembly. Senator Jeffrey Klein’s version of the bill, S7892, passed today, so the speed limit reduction now awaits only Governor...
O’Donnell Introduces A10071 to Enable Swift Institutionalization of Released Inmates When Necessary
Jun 12, 2014
In response to the horrific attack on two young children in Brooklyn by a mentally ill man, Assembly Correction Committee Chair O’Donnell introduced A10071 to prevent something like this from ever happening again. The alleged perpetrator had been out...
O’Donnell Statement Celebrating Oregonians’ Right to Marry
May 19, 2014
Assembly Member O’Donnell celebrates Judge Michael McShane’s decision to strike down Oregon’s Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, Measure 36: Congratulations, Oregon! There is nothing like winning the right to marry in your own state. When...
Correction Committee Passes O’Donnell and Rozic Legislation to Protect Vulnerable Populations from Solitary Confinement
May 13, 2014
Today, under Assembly Member O’Donnell’s leadership, the Assembly Correction Committee passed two important bills limiting solitary confinement, one sponsored by Assembly Member O’Donnell and one by Assemblywoman Nily Rozic. O’Donnell’s bill,...
O'Donnell Introduces A9268 to Ban Solitary Confinement for Adolescents
Apr 14, 2014
Last week, Assembly Member O’Donnell introduced A9268, which would ban solitary confinement for New York State inmates under the age of 21. The bill was referred to the Correction Committee, of which Assembly Member O’Donnell serves as Chair. Upon...
New York State Assembly for the Second Year in a Row Passes O’Donnell Bill to Protect NYC Public Schools
Mar 18, 2014
Today, for the second year in a row, the NYS Assembly passed Assembly Member O’Donnell’s bill A6058a. This bill would help to protect New York City school properties and prevent rampant development without input by the affected communities and families....
O’Donnell Concludes His Annual Children’s Book Drive, Collecting Close to 2,400 Books
Mar 7, 2014
On Friday, Assembly Member O’Donnell handed over roughly 40 boxes filled with nearly 2,400 books to Project Cicero to conclude his 2014 Children’s Book Drive. This number shatters last year’s record of over 2,000 books. They will be distributed...
O’Donnell Hosts LGBT Activist Delegation from Latin America, Strategizes on How to Face Common Challenges
Feb 3, 2014
This morning, New York State Assembly Member Daniel J. O’Donnell was honored to host a delegation of LGBT activists from Latin American through the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. Over breakfast, the group held...
O’Donnell Introduces Bill to Make NYC’s Speed Limit 20 MPH
Jan 16, 2014
Today, Assembly Member O’Donnell introduced A8478, a bill to reduce the official speed limit in New York City to 20 miles per hour except where the City Council determines otherwise. He explained: Last week, two tragedies in my district emphasized...
O’Donnell Statement on His Probation Judicial Discretion Becoming Law
Jan 15, 2014
On Friday Governor Cuomo signed Assembly Member O’Donnell’s bill, A4582, into law, just days after he spoke of the importance of reducing mass incarceration during his State of the State speech. His bill, which will grant judicial discretion with...
O’Donnell Chairs Correction Committee Hearing on Parole Reform in New York State
Dec 4, 2013
Today, Assembly Member O’Donnell led an Assembly Correction Committee hearing on the parole process in New York State. He was joined by Assembly Members Aubrey, Giglio, Ortiz, and Sepulveda. The legislators heard testimony from Parole Board Chairwoman...
O’Donnell Questions SED Commissioner John King Regarding Student Privacy at Education Hearing
Nov 20, 2013
Today, Assembly Member O’Donnell questioned State Education Commissioner John King and Deputy Commissioner Ken Wagner regarding the state’s plan to share sensitive, personally identifiable student information with the private corporation inBloom,...
O’Donnell Statement Calling on NYS Comptroller to Divest Common Retirement Fund of Russian Assets
Aug 15, 2013
Today, Assembly Member O’Donnell sent a letter to New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, requesting that in light of Russia’s recent attacks on LGBT rights, he fully divest the New York State Common Retirement Fund (CRF) of all Russian assets....
O’Donnell Bill to Protect Environment against Dangerous Hydrofracking Practice Passes Committee
May 8, 2013
On Tuesday, May 7th, the New York State Assembly’s Environmental Conservation committee passed a vital piece of legislation in the fight to protect New York from the potential dangers of hydraulic fracturing, or “hydrofracking.” Bill A3561, sponsored...
O’Donnell’s Introduces Bill Requiring Community Involvement in City School Building Sales and Transfers
Mar 14, 2013
Assembly Member O’Donnell has just introduced a bill in response to news that the New York City Department of Education is proposing the demolition of two Upper West Side school buildings and the subsequent construction on site of private high-rise...
O’Donnell Statement on the Passage of Crucial Gun Safety Legislation
Jan 15, 2013
Today, Assembly Member Daniel O’Donnell was proud to vote in favor of New York’s crucial gun safety legislation, the SAFE Act. Soon after the vote, he said, We as a community are still reeling from our overwhelming losses in Webster, NY and Newtown,...
