My Guiding Principle

My guiding principle has informed my life as an activist, a lawyer, a business owner and now in public service.  That principle is; No matter who you are, where you come from, what you look like, what your abilities, who you love or how you identify, we all have dignity and deserve full equality, justice and the opportunity to succeed.  A simple proposition perhaps, yet one that is consistent with the greatest movements in our country’s history; from Abolition to Civil Rights, from Seneca Falls to Stonewall.

This principle guides me in every policy decision I make, whether it is education, transportation, health care, economic development or any of the other numerous issues that come before me.  Many of you have partnered with me to advance policies that help our families. I’m proud of what we’ve done together thus far.

Issues and Priorities

Combatting the Effects of Inflation:

  • Suspended the state gas tax through the end of the year
  • Accelerated middle-class income tax cuts
  • Secured new property tax rebate checks
  • Delivered a record $7 billion to expand child care

Keeping us Safe:

  • Raised the age to buy semiautomatic weapons
  • Expanded Red Flag laws to keep guns away from those who pose a threat to our community
  • Worked to fix bail reform and keep violent criminals off our streets
  • Sponsored Daniel’s Law to improve how authorities respond to mental health emergencies
  • Increased mental health funding and reformed licensure requirements to improve access to services

Standing Up for Our Rights:

  • Voted to codify the right to choose into state law
  • Supported the Equality Amendment to enshrine rights into our state constitution
  • Defending other hard-fought rights, like same sex marriage, that are under attack

Helping Local Businesses:

  • Chair of the Assembly Economic Development Committee
  • Created an $800 million small business grant program to help them recover
  • Passed the Green CHIPs Act, to attract semiconductor manufactures and create good-paying jobs
  • Established the Empire State Apprenticeship Tax Credit and other workforce development programs

Creating economic opportunity for all of our families, advancing legislation that brings full dignity and equality to all in our community, ensuring ALL our children receive a good education and fighting for workers’ rights have been, and will continue to be my top priorities.