Asm. Philip Palmesano

Raised First Amendment concerns citing a federal judge's injunction on Colorado's similar law, noted Governor Newsom vetoed comparable California legislation, questioned why only gas stoves are labeled when electric stoves also emit fumes, and cited a World Health Organization study finding no significant increased asthma risk from gas cooking.

Opposed the bill citing the current staffing crisis in correctional facilities, with 2,000 corrections officers fired and a shortage of approximately 4,000 officers. Noted that 3,000 National Guard troops without corrections experience are currently staffing facilities, making this a poor time to mandate additional visitation requirements.

Palmesano raised concerns about waste, fraud and abuse in Medicaid, noting New York ranks very low in fraud investigations per billion spent despite significant increases in Medicaid spending under the current Governor. He advocated for stronger proactive oversight and safeguards to protect taxpayers and ensure program efficiency and effectiveness, arguing current Medicaid Inspector General efforts are insufficient.

Raised concerns about pied-à-terre surcharge's impact on investment and development; questioned whether revenue projections account for taxpayer behavior; asked about mechanisms to protect non-covered co-op shareholders. Criticized H.R. 1 decoupling as making NY less competitive compared to states like Ohio, Florida, Texas that are not decoupling. Questioned why burden falls on manufacturers. Noted corporate tax rates never seem temporary. Suggested alternative utility relief proposals.

Criticized the budget as unsustainable, noting spending has increased $60 billion since the Governor took office and nearly $100 billion since one-party control began. Argued the state has a spending problem, not a revenue problem, and advocated for tax reduction, deregulation, and private sector investment to address fiscal crises in municipalities and encourage business retention.

Questioned the CREST program's $1.8 billion in reappropriations and why an additional $385 million in bonded capital is necessary given the reappropriation amount.

Opposed the bill citing concerns about renewable energy overriding local control, taking prime farmland without tracking data, lack of support for reliable baseload power like natural gas and nuclear, and the $1 billion+ cost of National Guard deployment in correctional facilities. Argued nuclear is far superior to solar/wind from a land-use perspective and criticized the state's hostile approach to natural gas infrastructure.

Palmesano raised concerns about waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicaid program, noting the State ranks low in fraud investigations per billion spent. He called for stronger proactive oversight and safeguards to protect taxpayers and ensure program efficiency and effectiveness.

Raised multiple concerns: MCO tax impact on counties and ratepayers; pied-à-terre surcharge implementation and investment risk; R&D decoupling making NY less competitive than non-decoupling states; extension of temporary corporate tax rates; inadequacy of POWER rebate checks; and 75 percent nicotine tax alignment with cigarette taxes.

Criticized the budget's $268.1 billion spending level as unsustainable, arguing the state has a spending problem not a revenue problem, and advocated for tax relief and business-friendly policies to encourage private sector investment and job creation rather than continued spending increases and debt accumulation.

Questioned the necessity of authorizing an additional $385 million in bonded capital for the CREST program given $1.8 billion in existing reappropriations, asking why prior allocations have not been fully drawn down.

Opposed the bill citing concerns about renewable energy overriding local control, conversion of prime agricultural land for solar and wind projects without tracking data, lack of support for reliable baseload power like natural gas and nuclear, and the $1 billion+ spent on National Guard deployment in correctional facilities instead of hiring trained corrections officers.

Raised concerns about lack of financial plan transparency, questioned whether insurance reforms would deliver actual premium reductions for consumers, asked about immediate utility rate relief mechanisms, and sought clarification on CLCPA modifications and their implications for net-zero generation requirements by 2040.

Raised concerns about lack of immediate utility rate relief despite $2.4 billion in NYSERDA surplus, questioned whether insurance reforms would guarantee savings, sought clarification on pension cost responsibility between state and local taxpayers, and questioned whether CLCPA modifications represent an admission that original targets were overstated.

Questioned the lack of a complete financial plan and whether the bill addresses affordability and cost-of-living crises. Extensively challenged immigration provisions, particularly the restrictions on 287(g) agreements, arguing they infringe on local control and home rule, and questioned whether they would weaken law enforcement's ability to respond to community needs. Also raised concerns about missing provisions on correctional facility safety (HALT reforms) and death gamble pension protections for corrections officers.

Raised concerns about voting on a $270 billion budget without a financial plan, questioned sustainability of spending increases exceeding inflation and taxpayer ability to pay, criticized lack of Foundation Aid formula updates for rural schools despite Rockefeller Report recommendations, questioned the five-year delay for zero-emission buses without addressing underlying infrastructure and cost issues, and expressed concerns about Universal Pre-K hard deadline without waivers or phase-in for districts lacking classroom space and certified staff.

Criticized the 14 budget extenders and lack of final budget after seven weeks, noting the LCA show was completed before the budget. Expressed concern that members lack full fiscal impact and financial plan information before voting on budget bills, calling the process dysfunctional and embarrassing.

Criticized the lack of a financial plan before voting on a $270 billion budget, questioned the sustainability of spending increases exceeding inflation and taxpayer ability to pay, raised concerns about Foundation Aid formula not addressing rural school needs, questioned the five-year delay in zero-emission school bus requirements without addressing underlying infrastructure and cost issues, and objected to Universal Pre-K's hard 2028-29 deadline without waivers or phase-in provisions for districts lacking classroom space and certified staff.

Questioned the extended timeline (13th extender, 7 weeks past constitutional deadline), sought clarity on Tier 6 pension enhancement costs to local governments, healthcare/Essential Plan status, the $4 billion NYC bailout composition, pied-à-terre tax details, and whether three-day bill review rule would be followed.

Contended the bill takes a piecemeal approach to data center policy when a comprehensive regulatory strategy through the PSC would be better. Expressed concern the bill discourages natural gas use and investment in data centers, contradicting an 'all of the above' energy approach. Argued the PSC can already mandate host community agreements and that the state should focus on grid capacity and baseload generation rather than restricting data center development.

Criticized the budget process as the 13th extender, seven weeks past constitutional deadline. Questioned timeline for final budget passage, details on Tier 6 pension changes, healthcare coverage for Essential Plan, the $4 billion NYC bailout, pied-à-terre tax proposal, and whether the three-day bill review rule would be waived. Expressed concern about impacts on school districts, non-profits, local governments, and taxpayers.

Contended the bill represents a piecemeal approach to data center policy when a comprehensive regulatory framework through PSC proceedings would be preferable. Expressed concern the bill discourages investment in emerging technology and natural gas use, contrary to an 'all of the above' energy approach, and noted PSC can already mandate grid upgrades be funded by developers.

Criticized the 12th extender as evidence of budget dysfunction and one-party rule failure. Emphasized concerns about unfunded EV school bus mandates affecting school districts with votes next week, deteriorating roads and bridges, and lack of finalized policy language despite Governor declaring victory on an unwritten budget.

Criticized the 12th extender as a record for budget dysfunction and one-party rule failure. Emphasized concerns about EV school bus mandates as unfunded mandates on school districts and urged increased CHIPS funding for deteriorating roads and bridges.

Expressed concern about lack of transparency and specificity on major policy issues embedded in budget negotiations. Called for adequate member review time, public financial plan disclosure, and specifically urged delay of the EV school bus mandate as an unfunded burden on school districts.

Expressed concern about the pace of budget negotiations and called for transparency on policy details and fiscal impacts. Urged delay of the EV school bus mandate as an unfunded burden on school districts and emphasized the need for members to have adequate time to review final bills before voting.

Questioned the status of negotiations and called for transparency, requesting an updated spending plan and adherence to the three-day constitutional aging process before voting on final budget bills. Emphasized the need for members and the public to understand the fiscal framework of the nearly $268 billion budget.

Argued the bill creates significant unintended consequences, noting the PSC already has authority to mandate this and has rejected similar requests from utilities due to costs. He contended the bill would impose substantial staffing costs on small municipalities and water districts—potentially over $100,000 annually—increasing property taxes and utility rates, and questioned whether the problem actually exists given major utilities already have toll-free numbers.

Cited a Cornell University study with New York State town highway superintendents showing electric school buses increase maintenance costs by $20,000-$50,000 per mile and reduce road life from 10 to 8 years; criticized the unfunded mandate requiring school districts to convert fleets by 2035 while the State has until 2040 with exemptions.