Help New York save taxpayer money and trees, this November
When I entered the state legislature in 2011, I couldn’t believe the amount of paper wasted every day. Hundreds of pages of different drafts of bills are put on our chamber desks, sent to our offices, and placed in meeting rooms of the various committees we serve on, despite most legislators reading the bills beforehand and oftentimes electronically.
READ postPassing crucial legislation to keep our streets safe
In the final hours of the 2014 legislative session, the New York State Legislature took action on one of the most important issues of the year, passing sweeping measures to combat the prescription drug and heroin epidemic plaguing our communities.
READ postAlbany Must Not Fail Women Again
The Women’s Equality Act has been hotly contested for the past two years, and now is the time to come together and deliver legislation that helps New York’s women.
READ postTuition assistance for middle class must be priority
With graduation season underway, now is the time to raise awareness about one of the fastest growing problems facing our nation.
READ postLaw-abiding citizens should not be treated like second class citizens
The priorities of those governing New York seem to be lost in a quagmire, and we’re dangerously close to setting two very bad precedents.
READ postLegislature’s tasks remain plentiful in 2014
Over the past three years, my colleagues and I have worked hard to turn a $10 billion deficit into what is projected to be a $2 billion surplus in 2014.
READ postCommon Core failing early tests
As we begin a new year, it is incumbent upon state legislators to take stock of the successes gained over the past year and the areas where work is left to be done.
READ postRooting out crime in our community
South Brooklyn is a gem among our borough’s communities and the entire city. Business is booming, families are moving in and the community has never been more attractive. That’s why it is so critical that we take every measure possible to keep crime off our streets and protect our community.
READ postTaking action to protect seniors
The 2013 legislative session was filled with philosophical differences and conflicts that slowed the progress made for New Yorkers over the last two years. Ideological debates hindered many important measures from moving forward. However, the state Assembly was able to deliver positive results for seniors in 2013.
READ postPublic Corruption Prevention and Enforcement Act
Every year at the end of the legislative session, many hot-button issues debated over the preceding months develop into bills taken up at the Capitol. A popular topic of discussion in 2013 has been the public financing of political campaigns.
READ postPreserve the right to spousal refusal
The governor’s executive budget proposal contains language that would eliminate spousal refusal, a vital protection afforded to our aging population.
READ postKeeping faith-based organizations from ending up homeless
On February 12, a number of religious congregations in our community will lose their home of worship. Over 60 houses of worship hold services at public schools throughout the city and many of these groups are small churches that have rented space in public schools for years.
READ postNeed for tougher punishment of sexual predators
Most would agree that a crime committed against a minor is among the lowest of the low. And when such a crime involves a sexual attack, it almost shocks the conscience.
READ postA huge win for Brooklyn
Last week, the legislature convened in Albany for an Extraordinary Session to take up a set of issues that were geared toward closing this year’s budget gap and reducing the deficit looming next year.
READ postMTA Payroll tax stifling economic growth
Coming off an extremely successful legislative session that closed a $10 billion budget deficit without any new or increased taxes, Governor Cuomo has turned state government’s attention to job creation as our number one priority.
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