Issues

I’m a proud product of the SUNY system, and recognize that for many families across the region that this option is the most affordable and attractive option to send children to college. Yet, over the past 20 years we’ve seen college costs skyrocket at public and private institutions alike. As Chair of the Subcommittee on the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), …

As a member of the Assembly Committee on Aging, I introduced legislation and led the effort to bring needed reform to our state’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP), and bring it into the 21st century. Now, residents of long-term care facilities and nursing homes will have a greater awareness of their rights as residents, and this program will now be …

I’ve spent years fighting for our veterans at the federal level, and continued over the past year as your Assemblymember. In the state budget, I’ve fought to deliver funding for the Veterans Outreach Center, which provides incredible services to Rochester-area veterans. The needs of our veterans simply aren’t being met like they should, and I support the creation of a …

Rochester has struggled with violence for the past year. While this spike in crime aligns with nationwide trends, it’s clear that we need solutions. Our city can, and should serve as an example of the need for an innovative approach to addressing the root causes of crime. Without a holistic response, we are destined to see little change. I am …

I was proud to support the passage of the Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA), and bring this shadow economy into the light. Beyond the economic benefits, this was an overdue course-corrective on New York’s discriminatory war on drugs. As we work to get the legal market for recreational marijuana up and running this year, I will work to ensure …

Sunlight is the best disinfectant, and there is nowhere that is more applicable than the halls of power in Albany. Important legislative work is undermined when the public lacks faith in their elected officials to conduct their duties ethically. Public faith has been rocked in their state government, and I will do everything within my power to help restore it. …

Over the past few years we have seen historic protests in our city, and a reckoning with the disparate experiences of Black and brown residents throughout Monroe County. Deep-seated quality of life issues remain for many, in areas of housing, food security, wages, criminal justice, and even health outcomes. I will continue to legislate with this reality in mind, and …

Extreme weather and natural disasters have become all too common in our state. In the end, it is our community’s most disadvantaged populations that have to deal with the consequences. A $15 billion investment in line with the goals of the Climate & Community Investment Act would help counteract the effects of climate change, and bad-faith corporate actors. This funding …

Throughout Rochester housing stock is low, whether a homebuyer or renter, there is simply not enough supply to keep up with demand. I applaud the Governor’s commitment to building more affordable housing, but this is simply one step towards progress. In Upstate NY we need full implementation and expansion of the Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act (HONDA). HONDA will …