Asm. Crystal Peoples-Stokes

The bill provides an option for local governments to support New York-based food suppliers and farmers who cannot compete as lowest bidders against larger out-of-state firms, helping preserve local agricultural economies and food security.

Assemblywoman Walsh opposed the one-year extension of Buffalo's authority to arrange private sales of bonds rather than follow competitive bidding procedures. She noted that competitive bidding typically yields better prices and avoids collusion concerns. Walsh questioned whether Buffalo still needs this authority given the city received $50 million in the recent budget and appears to be in improved financial condition.

Argued it is more important to have healthy people than profitable insurance companies, noting that longer quality of life is more cost-effective for insurers. She commended the sponsor for prioritizing health over business interests.

Sponsor stated the bill requires departments to review and potentially lower lead standards for dust, soil, and air quality. Cited CDC guidance that no safe level of lead exists for children and noted increasing numbers of children negatively impacted neurologically by lead exposure, affecting special education enrollment.

Argued that healthy people are more important than insurance company profits and that longer quality of life is more cost-effective for insurers. Commended the sponsor for advancing healthcare access.

Argued that New York's lead standards should be reviewed and potentially lowered, noting that CDC standards indicate no safe level of lead for children and that state soil standards exceed federal standards.

Announced the Majority Conference would vote in favor of the legislation.

Supported the bill as consumer-friendly legislation, noting that AI technology can easily simplify complex documents and that large insurance companies can use AI to create summaries without significant additional cost.

Contextualized the bill as a necessary correction within five years of a new agency's creation, noting the State Liquor Authority took ten years to streamline; emphasized the cannabis industry is generating revenue and reinvesting in communities, and provides economic opportunity to justice-involved individuals.

Supported the bill as potentially facilitating faster access to wills through electronic means, which could help address community blight caused by unprobated estates and enable more pro bono legal services to constituents.

Praised the sponsor for difficult but necessary legislation to curtail false reports and misuse of the system, noting people are taught they can lie and make accusations without consequence.

Peoples-Stokes commended the bill as a significant step forward, noting family court is the fastest-growing court in the state and proper representation may help prevent intergenerational dysfunction.

Stressed the medicinal value of cannabis and the need to prevent further decline of the medical program. Noted that specialized products like powder formulations for children with debilitating conditions are only available through medical dispensaries, not adult-use stores.

Commended the sponsor for his detailed debate and noted that protecting the state is the legislature's responsibility, suggesting more such protective measures may be needed.

Book removal efforts nationwide are disappointing; children benefit from diverse materials that teach principles, values and character. One person's objection should not prevent other children from accessing books they enjoy and learn from.

Commended the sponsor for the legislation, noting it represents an important way to transform how government discusses mental health and may help address societal dysfunction through more respectful language.

Stated that responsible gun owners have no problem securing weapons; argued that if someone opposes secure storage, they are not responsible and shouldn't have a weapon.

Emphasized the bill promotes self-sufficiency and helps build a middle class during a time of growing wealth inequality. Framed it as providing a 'hand up' rather than denial of opportunity.

As a landlord, supports the bill because it prevents unscrupulous targeting of renters. Acknowledged that technology is evolving and unscrupulous actors will find workarounds, but the bill addresses a real problem.

Emphasized the importance of making documents readable and understandable, noting that only 21 percent of 2023 high school graduates met college readiness benchmarks in English comprehension. Argued consumers should clearly understand what they purchase.

Emphasized the bill provides opportunity for self-sufficiency and helps build a middle class during a time of growing wealth inequality. Urged members to view it as giving people 'a hand up' rather than denying them something.

Praised the bill as necessary public health legislation, noting lead poisoning is the most preventable and prevalent threat to children's health and educational capacity. Criticized society's historical prioritization of business profit over public health, citing Cuba's 1940 ban on lead paint and calling for proactive rather than reactive policy.

As a landlord, supports the bill because it prevents unscrupulous targeting of renters. Acknowledged that technology is evolving and bad actors will find workarounds, but the bill addresses a real problem and the legislature should stay ahead of AI developments.

Emphasized the importance of making documents readable and understandable, noting that only 21 percent of 2023 high school graduates met college readiness benchmarks in English comprehension. Argued consumers should clearly understand what they purchase.

Banks should notify customers when closing accounts and explain why. Some banks already do this; others do not. Customers deserve respect and information, and unclaimed funds in the Comptroller's office prove banks sometimes fail to notify account holders.

Emphasized that banks should notify customers when closing accounts and explain why, citing personal experience and instances where constituents discovered closed accounts only through the Comptroller's Unclaimed Funds List. Called for maintaining institutional integrity and respect for customers.

Commended the sponsor for bringing science to extend lives through organ donation. Expressed gratitude for the legislation and noted it represents progress.

Complimented the sponsor for creating a study-based approach to examine how public assistance programs can create unintended barriers to growth, noting support from multiple statewide organizations.

Complimented the sponsor for studying how public assistance programs can create unintended barriers to beneficiary advancement, noting support from regional business and advocacy organizations.

Complimented the sponsor for studying how public assistance benefits can create barriers to growth, noting support from regional business and advocacy organizations and expressing hope for swift completion of the task force recommendations.

Argued that criminal justice adjustments should protect youth who have not been taught to exercise their rights, noting that many families advise young people not to speak to police without counsel. Stated the bill ensures minors understand their constitutional rights before interrogation.

Argued the bill protects youth who have not been taught to exercise their rights, preventing them from incriminating themselves through statements that can be used against them in court.

Strongly supported the bill, citing the critical need for language access after OTDA experienced thousands of calls from beneficiaries whose EBT cards were fraudulently emptied, and noting that her Buffalo community speaks 30 different languages in its public schools.

Supported the bill during vote explanation, arguing that healthcare and housing costs are embedded in consumer prices regardless, and denying people better living conditions is unfair when they are paying for the privilege.

Supported the bill during vote explanation, arguing that healthcare costs are embedded in consumer prices and denying coverage to workers is unfair, especially given potential federal Medicaid cuts.

Supported film tax credit restoration that brought Hallmark studio to Western New York; praised brownfields tax and private equity restrictions on property purchases.

Defended the legal defense provision, noting the Attorney General has been publicly threatened and the bill does not name a specific individual but defends the office and seat.

Praised film tax credit restoration for attracting Hallmark studio production to Western New York, brownfields tax for redevelopment, and restrictions on private equity property purchases.

Defended legal defense provision as protecting the office of Attorney General from politically motivated attacks; noted Attorney General has been publicly threatened.