The New York Senate has voted to turn St. Patrick’s Day into a school holiday for students in New York City’s five boroughs.
If passed and signed by Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the change would go into effect March 17, 2017. The New York State Assembly has also sponsored companion legislation.
The Queens man who introduced the bill, state Sen. Tony Avella, said he chose to draft the legislation because a number of other ethnic groups have state-recognized holidays.
Schools permit students who observe the Chinese Lunar New Year to remain out of school. Avella said the same precedent should be followed for St. Paddy’s because of the large number of Irish-Americans in New York City.
