Research

Various geographic areas in New York state are characterized by persistent and pervasive poverty, high unemployment, limited new job creation, dependence on public assistance, dilapidated and abandoned industrial and commercial facilities and a shrinking tax base. To remedy these conditions, the Legislature authorized the formation of up to 72 Empire Zones through a series of eight competitive designation rounds in which applicants identify the economic benefits they will attain through creation of a Zone.

The Assembly Standing Committee on Housing was established in 1966 to review and research all legislation within its jurisdiction and to provide legislative oversight where necessary. This jurisdiction covers: the Multiple Dwelling Law; the Multiple Residence Law; the Private Housing Finance Law; and the Public Housing Law. In addition, the Committee has jurisdiction over legislation amending those sections of the Unconsolidated Laws dealing with housing concerns. The Committee maintains several subcommittees to develop and review legislation and to conduct public hearings where necessary.

In 1944 Governor Thomas E. Dewey appointed an interdepartmental committee to study the problem of juvenile delinquency. Upon the recommendation of this committee, the New York State Youth Commission, a temporary state commission comprised of a chairperson appointed by the governor and the commissioners of the departments of Correction, Education, Health, Mental Hygiene, and Social Welfare, the industrial commissioner, and the chairperson of the Board of Parole, was established in 1945 (Chapter 556).

The 20-month investigation by the Assembly Task Force on Toxic Substances is an important chapter in the story of one of the worst environmental tragedies in United States history. On June 1, 1979, Assembly Speaker Stanley Fink formed the Task Force to investigate allegations that the United States Army and various military contractors beginning in the 1940's had dumped toxic wastes in the Love Canal without proper safeguards or monitoring.

This Commission was created by a law of 1971 (Ch. 413) for the purpose of attaining efficiency, economy and improvement in the operation of city government.

Chapter 655 of the Laws of 1977 amended the Mental Hygiene Law to create the State Commission on Quality Care for the Mentally Disabled in the Executive Department. The commission consists of three persons with "an active interest in or obtained professional knowledge in the care of the mentally disabled or in mental hygiene endeavors generally" who are appointed by the governor to a five year term. Within the commission are two advisory bodies, the Mental Hygiene Medical Review Board and the Advisory Council.

This board was created by Chapter 958, Laws of 1968 (Executive Law, Art. 15, section 297-a) as the Human Rights Review Board in connection with the revision of the State Human Rights Agency in that year. The board reviewed and heard appeals from decisions and orders of the Division of Human Rights and its commissioner. An appeal could be taken by any party to the proceedings. The name was changed by Chapter 368, Laws of 1969 to State Human Rights Appeal Board.

The Legislative Commission on Expenditure Review (LCER) was established after a recommendation by the Joint Legislative Committee on Fiscal Analysis and Review, as a permanent, bipartisan legislative agency by the Laws of 1969, Chapter 176, to determine whether state agencies and departments efficiently and effectively implement their programs in line with legislative intent and authorization.

The election and duties of the Clerk of the Assembly are prescribed in several sections of the Legislative Law (Laws of 1909, Chapter 37). The Clerk is elected by a majority of the Assembly and works under the direction of the Speaker of the Assembly. The position of Clerk of the Assembly has been in existence since 1777, with the its inclusion in the first state constitution.

Created in 1968, the commission consisted of twenty-one citizens: eleven who were appointed by the governor (one of whom was the chief of staff to the governor); five who were appointed by the temporary president of the senate; and another five who were appointed by the speaker of the assembly. The governor appointed John H.G. Pell as chairman and E.K. Fretwell as vice chairman. The remaining members were appointed in June, 1969. In 1974 (Chapter 92), commission membership was expanded to twenty-seven.