This legislative session, I was proud to pass five bills through both the New York State Assembly and Senate, advancing policies that strengthen public safety, expand economic opportunity, empower public housing residents, and improve New York's financial system.

Among these achievements is Francesco's Law (A1962), The Reciprocal Deposit Bill (A9574), the Resident Management Corporation Bill, and A8313the State Charter Advisory Board (A11393)

Francesco’s Law (A1962): require gun owners to secure firearms even when not under their direct control. Prevent youth suicides, school shootings, and gun theft.

Resident Management Corporation Bill (A8313): Required NYCHA to provide residents information on Resident Management Corporations and their potential benefits. This community-driven approach to residential management helps empower public housing tenants, and put them at the center of shaping solutions. Now we need the Governor to sign it into law.

Reciprocal Deposit Bill (A9574): Allows community banks and credit unions to use reciprocal deposits to meet certain collateral requirements. This expands their ability to more easily participate in the banking Development Program, and provide more capital lending to small businesses, homeowners, and entrepreneurs in banking deserts.

State Charter Advisory Board (A11393):Extends the longevity of the State Charter Advisory Board, which works with the Department of Financial Services to recruit, retain, and promote state- chartered financial institutions, such as banks and credit unions. The body also compiles an annual report detailing concerns and recommendations to strengthen the state’s financial industry.

These legislative victories reflect my ongoing commitment to delivering meaningful results that improve public safety, expand economic opportunity, strengthen our communities, and better serve the people of District 31.

2026 NYS Budget Wins

This year's State Budget makes historic investments to lower costs, strengthen public education, expand affordable housing, support working families, and build a more resilient New York.

Key investments include:

Education, Housing, Utility Relief, Food Security, Climate Resilience, Tier 6, Immigrant Protections and Utility Rate Relief. Together, these investments help make New York more affordable while expanding opportunities for families and communities across the state.

Education:
$1.6 BILLION for Universal Pre-K
$205 MILLION for Universal 3-K
$73 MILLION to launch 2-Care in NYC
$116 MILLION for after-school programming
$1 BILLION INCREASE in Foundation Aid funding, with $167 MILLION to NYC Schools
Increased funding for foster care students & children experiencing homelessness
Increased funding for English Language Learners
$300 MILLION for SUNY
$200 MILLION for CUNY
$29 MILLION for Community Colleges
$51 MILLION for the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)
$39 MILLION towards the Search for Education, Elevation & Knowledge (SEEK) program
$17 MILLION for C-STEP to help disadvantaged students pursue a STEM education
$8.5 MILLION for the Foster Youth Initiative

Housing:
$50 MILLION for the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP)
$250 MILLION for affordable housing development and preservation
$40 MILLION to redevelop vacant and abandoned properties
$10 MILLION for farmer housing preservation
$4 MILLION for Housing Opportunities Program for the Elderly
Exemption (SCRIE) and Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) to prevent rent increases for seniors and the disabled
Expanded the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) to prevent rent increases for seniors and the disabled

Food, Farm & Nutrition:
$72 MILLION towards food banks, soup kitchens, and shelters under the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP)
$55 MILLION to assist food banks purchase products from local farmers through Nourish New York
$9 MILLION for Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP)
$2 MILLION for Double Up Food Bucks, matching your SNAP dollars to get twice the fruits and veggies at farmer markets
Modernizing EBT cards to secure chip-based technology to prevent skimming and fraud

Tier 6 Reform:
Teachers (with 30 years of service) can RETIRE AT 58 YEARS OLD
Other Public employees will see
Reductions in Contribution Rates (3-6% depending on income)
Increased amount of overtime in the benefit calculation, including, but not limited to, Firefighters, Police, and Correctional Officers

Immigration:
Bans agreements that allow local law enforcementto act as federal immigration officers
Prohibits law enforcementofficers from wearing masks to conceal their identity
Allows hospitals, churches, childcare centers, schools, and polling places to deny entry to immigration enforcement officers
Requires local jails to terminate all contracts with ICE within 180 days
Ensuring continued access to education for children, regardless of citizenship or immigration status

Utility Rate Relief:
$1 BILLION IN ENERGY REBATE CHECKS
For 8.2 MILLION New Yorkers beginning in September
Checks will range from $100 to $200 for joint or single filers, depending on income from 2024 state tax returns
Establishing the RATES Commission to:
Examine the true causes of rising energy costs
Recommend long-term solutions to lower utility rates.

2026 NYS Budget Wins

This year's State Budget makes historic investments to lower costs, strengthen public education, expand affordable housing, support working families, and build a more resilient New York.

Key investments include:

Education, Housing, Utility Relief, Food Security, Climate Resilience, Tier 6, Immigrant Protections and Utility Rate Relief. Together, these investments help make New York more affordable while expanding opportunities for families and communities across the state.

Education:
$1.6 BILLION for Universal Pre-K
$205 MILLION for Universal 3-K
$73 MILLION to launch 2-Care in NYC
$116 MILLION for after-school programming
$1 BILLION INCREASE in Foundation Aid funding, with $167 MILLION to NYC Schools
Increased funding for foster care students & children experiencing homelessness
Increased funding for English Language Learners
$300 MILLION for SUNY
$200 MILLION for CUNY
$29 MILLION for Community Colleges
$51 MILLION for the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)
$39 MILLION towards the Search for Education, Elevation & Knowledge (SEEK) program
$17 MILLION for C-STEP to help disadvantaged students pursue a STEM education
$8.5 MILLION for the Foster Youth Initiative

Housing:
$50 MILLION for the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP)
$250 MILLION for affordable housing development and preservation
$40 MILLION to redevelop vacant and abandoned properties
$10 MILLION for farmer housing preservation
$4 MILLION for Housing Opportunities Program for the Elderly
Exemption (SCRIE) and Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) to prevent rent increases for seniors and the disabled
Expanded the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) to prevent rent increases for seniors and the disabled

Food, Farm & Nutrition:
$72 MILLION towards food banks, soup kitchens, and shelters under the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP)
$55 MILLION to assist food banks purchase products from local farmers through Nourish New York
$9 MILLION for Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP)
$2 MILLION for Double Up Food Bucks, matching your SNAP dollars to get twice the fruits and veggies at farmer markets
Modernizing EBT cards to secure chip-based technology to prevent skimming and fraud

Tier 6 Reform:
Teachers (with 30 years of service) can RETIRE AT 58 YEARS OLD
Other Public employees will see
Reductions in Contribution Rates (3-6% depending on income)
Increased amount of overtime in the benefit calculation, including, but not limited to, Firefighters, Police, and Correctional Officers

Immigration:
Bans agreements that allow local law enforcementto act as federal immigration officers
Prohibits law enforcementofficers from wearing masks to conceal their identity
Allows hospitals, churches, childcare centers, schools, and polling places to deny entry to immigration enforcement officers
Requires local jails to terminate all contracts with ICE within 180 days
Ensuring continued access to education for children, regardless of citizenship or immigration status

Utility Rate Relief:
$1 BILLION IN ENERGY REBATE CHECKS
For 8.2 MILLION New Yorkers beginning in September
Checks will range from $100 to $200 for joint or single filers, depending on income from 2024 state tax returns
Establishing the RATES Commission to:
Examine the true causes of rising energy costs
Recommend long-term solutions to lower utility rates.

2026 NYS Budget Wins

This year's State Budget makes historic investments to lower costs, strengthen public education, expand affordable housing, support working families, and build a more resilient New York.

Key investments include:

Education, Housing, Utility Relief, Food Security, Climate Resilience, Tier 6, Immigrant Protections and Utility Rate Relief. Together, these investments help make New York more affordable while expanding opportunities for families and communities across the state.

Education:
$1.6 BILLION for Universal Pre-K
$205 MILLION for Universal 3-K
$73 MILLION to launch 2-Care in NYC
$116 MILLION for after-school programming
$1 BILLION INCREASE in Foundation Aid funding, with $167 MILLION to NYC Schools
Increased funding for foster care students & children experiencing homelessness
Increased funding for English Language Learners
$300 MILLION for SUNY
$200 MILLION for CUNY
$29 MILLION for Community Colleges
$51 MILLION for the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)
$39 MILLION towards the Search for Education, Elevation & Knowledge (SEEK) program
$17 MILLION for C-STEP to help disadvantaged students pursue a STEM education
$8.5 MILLION for the Foster Youth Initiative

Housing:
$50 MILLION for the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP)
$250 MILLION for affordable housing development and preservation
$40 MILLION to redevelop vacant and abandoned properties
$10 MILLION for farmer housing preservation
$4 MILLION for Housing Opportunities Program for the Elderly
Exemption (SCRIE) and Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) to prevent rent increases for seniors and the disabled
Expanded the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) to prevent rent increases for seniors and the disabled

Food, Farm & Nutrition:
$72 MILLION towards food banks, soup kitchens, and shelters under the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP)
$55 MILLION to assist food banks purchase products from local farmers through Nourish New York
$9 MILLION for Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP)
$2 MILLION for Double Up Food Bucks, matching your SNAP dollars to get twice the fruits and veggies at farmer markets
Modernizing EBT cards to secure chip-based technology to prevent skimming and fraud

Tier 6 Reform:
Teachers (with 30 years of service) can RETIRE AT 58 YEARS OLD
Other Public employees will see
Reductions in Contribution Rates (3-6% depending on income)
Increased amount of overtime in the benefit calculation, including, but not limited to, Firefighters, Police, and Correctional Officers

Immigration:
Bans agreements that allow local law enforcementto act as federal immigration officers
Prohibits law enforcementofficers from wearing masks to conceal their identity
Allows hospitals, churches, childcare centers, schools, and polling places to deny entry to immigration enforcement officers
Requires local jails to terminate all contracts with ICE within 180 days
Ensuring continued access to education for children, regardless of citizenship or immigration status

Utility Rate Relief:
$1 BILLION IN ENERGY REBATE CHECKS
For 8.2 MILLION New Yorkers beginning in September
Checks will range from $100 to $200 for joint or single filers, depending on income from 2024 state tax returns
Establishing the RATES Commission to:
Examine the true causes of rising energy costs
Recommend long-term solutions to lower utility rates.

2026 NYS Budget Wins

This year's State Budget makes historic investments to lower costs, strengthen public education, expand affordable housing, support working families, and build a more resilient New York.

Key investments include:

Education, Housing, Utility Relief, Food Security, Climate Resilience, Tier 6, Immigrant Protections and Utility Rate Relief. Together, these investments help make New York more affordable while expanding opportunities for families and communities across the state.

Education:
$1.6 BILLION for Universal Pre-K
$205 MILLION for Universal 3-K
$73 MILLION to launch 2-Care in NYC
$116 MILLION for after-school programming
$1 BILLION INCREASE in Foundation Aid funding, with $167 MILLION to NYC Schools
Increased funding for foster care students & children experiencing homelessness
Increased funding for English Language Learners
$300 MILLION for SUNY
$200 MILLION for CUNY
$29 MILLION for Community Colleges
$51 MILLION for the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)
$39 MILLION towards the Search for Education, Elevation & Knowledge (SEEK) program
$17 MILLION for C-STEP to help disadvantaged students pursue a STEM education
$8.5 MILLION for the Foster Youth Initiative

Housing:
$50 MILLION for the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP)
$250 MILLION for affordable housing development and preservation
$40 MILLION to redevelop vacant and abandoned properties
$10 MILLION for farmer housing preservation
$4 MILLION for Housing Opportunities Program for the Elderly
Exemption (SCRIE) and Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) to prevent rent increases for seniors and the disabled
Expanded the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) to prevent rent increases for seniors and the disabled

Food, Farm & Nutrition:
$72 MILLION towards food banks, soup kitchens, and shelters under the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP)
$55 MILLION to assist food banks purchase products from local farmers through Nourish New York
$9 MILLION for Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP)
$2 MILLION for Double Up Food Bucks, matching your SNAP dollars to get twice the fruits and veggies at farmer markets
Modernizing EBT cards to secure chip-based technology to prevent skimming and fraud

Tier 6 Reform:
Teachers (with 30 years of service) can RETIRE AT 58 YEARS OLD
Other Public employees will see
Reductions in Contribution Rates (3-6% depending on income)
Increased amount of overtime in the benefit calculation, including, but not limited to, Firefighters, Police, and Correctional Officers

Immigration:
Bans agreements that allow local law enforcementto act as federal immigration officers
Prohibits law enforcementofficers from wearing masks to conceal their identity
Allows hospitals, churches, childcare centers, schools, and polling places to deny entry to immigration enforcement officers
Requires local jails to terminate all contracts with ICE within 180 days
Ensuring continued access to education for children, regardless of citizenship or immigration status

Utility Rate Relief:
$1 BILLION IN ENERGY REBATE CHECKS
For 8.2 MILLION New Yorkers beginning in September
Checks will range from $100 to $200 for joint or single filers, depending on income from 2024 state tax returns
Establishing the RATES Commission to:
Examine the true causes of rising energy costs
Recommend long-term solutions to lower utility rates.