By Will Barclay
In the coming months, the Legislature will consider the merits of thousands of pieces of legislation. As members of the Assembly Minority Conference, we will be drafting, debating and passing bills that will impact everything from tax law to criminal justice and most everything in between. Our Conference stands ready to fight for a legislative agenda that moves off New York’s current status quo, protects residents, facilitates growth and elevates New York to the world-class financial and cultural powerhouse it has become.
Recent years have been challenging as the Democrats’ legislative agenda has prioritized misguided energy policies and the rights of criminals over meeting the basic needs of everyday New Yorkers. My colleagues and I are not interested in headline-grabbing proposals and unworkable mandates. Our membership is laser-focused on policies that make it safer and cheaper to live in New York; anything else is simply a distraction.
Affordability remains a major concern for many New Yorkers. Taxes remain oppressively high, utility costs have skyrocketed, everyday items are still too expensive, and reliable child care remains difficult to find and afford. To address these costs, we have introduced bills like A.7417 to mitigate the expenses of everyday items. We’ve also introduced other pieces of legislation to limit tax hikes, reduce energy costs and limit runaway government spending. We’re not going to spend our way to a lower cost of living. Government works best when the people it represents keep as much of their money as possible, and our legislation aims to do just that.
New Yorkers also remain very concerned about public safety. “Raise the Age,” the near elimination of bail and an overall lack of support for law enforcement have made a tough situation virtually unbearable. Antisemitism continues to spread, and hate speech is becoming commonplace. We must do better. Holding criminals accountable, getting dangerous drugs off the streets and ensuring our police and correctional officers have everything they need to do their jobs well are also at the top of our legislative agenda.
We have our work cut out for us in the coming weeks and months. The above-mentioned policies still only represent part of a larger picture. Jobs, health care, spending and so many other important areas will take center stage as we begin taking up legislation. With the new year underway, I implore my legislative colleagues, the governor and policy makers at every level of government to put the needs of the people they represent ahead of everything else. That is what we were elected to do, and that is what it takes to restore New York as a true bastion of prosperity.
Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) is the Assembly Minority Leader.