By Will Barclay
The closing of the 2024 Legislative Session looked a lot like the end of many that have come before it; a lot of bills were passed — many in the dead of night while most of the state was asleep — and measures New Yorkers actually needed to see included with respect to public safety, outmigration and affordability were left out.
Crime and public safety remain persistent problems. The migrant crisis warranted a $2.4 billion commitment from taxpayers in the state budget. Taxes and fees on businesses remain oppressive and far too many New Yorkers are not happy with the direction of the state. Not addressing these problems with direct, targeted legislation makes little sense and ignores the concerns millions of New Yorkers express to their representatives.
I’ve repeatedly asked my colleagues on the other side of the aisle this question: When New York leads the country in residents leaving for other states, does that mean our policies are working, or do we need a dramatic course correction? The answer seems obvious to everyone except those setting the same status quo policy.
Instead of making everyday life more affordable, Democrats pushed environmental policies that will raise rates for consumers while doing little to improve the environment. Instead of making comprehensive improvements to bad criminal justice policies like bail reform, the parole system or Raise the Age, Democrats passed a bill addressing only retail theft. And instead of offering some form of widespread tax relief to overburdened New Yorkers, Democrats raised state spending to a record high $239.2 billion in a budget passed in the dark of night.
Our problems are not going anywhere. But Assembly Republicans will continue to push our colleagues, the governor and our Senate counterparts to fix what is broken.
No session of the Legislature is going to be perfect. My growing concern is that the proposals New Yorkers want to see passed are not only being rejected, but the problems they aim to address are not even on the Democrats’ radar. There was not only a lack of effort on their part, but a lack of understanding. After six months of debates and voting, New York is still not headed in the right direction.
Fortunately, the end of session does not mean our work is over, and our members will continue to fight for measures that put our state on a better path.
Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) is the Assembly Minority Leader.