Ceretto, Maziarz to Silver: Bring nine women's equality bills individually for vote in Assembly

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-C-I-Lewiston, and State Sen. George Maziarz, R-C-I-Newfane, are urging Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to bring the nine women's equality bills individually passed in the Senate to the Assembly floor. The nine separate bills address a wide variety of women's issues, including protection from sexual harassment in the workplace, human trafficking, domestic violence and numerous forms of discrimination.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Senate Temporary President and Majority Coalition Leader Dean Skelos have also called on Silver to pass the nine women's equality bills.

By not passing these nine bills, Ceretto's camp said Silver is blocking measures that would advance the cause of women's rights.

"I am calling on Sheldon Silver to bring the nine women's equality measures individually passed in the Senate to a vote in the Assembly," Ceretto said. "Gov. Cuomo himself said that 'these nine points are historic accomplishments' should they be passed. Silver and the Assembly Majority are getting in the way of women's rights for the sake of scoring political points.

"As the father of two daughters, it sickens me that the Assembly leadership is standing in the way of true reform for women. It is time for Silver to put women's rights ahead of politics and vote to give women protection from sexual harassment in the workplace, human trafficking, domestic violence and all forms of discrimination."

Added Maziarz, "The women of New York deserve a vote in the Assembly on the nine individual women's equality measures that I helped pass in the Senate. I was proud to vote in favor of all nine bills, and now it is the Assembly's turn to do the same. Considering recent events, it is especially important for Sheldon Silver to make a clear statement that sexual harassment in the workforce will not be tolerated in New York. Silver needs to stop his political posturing and pass these nine important points that the women of New York deserve."