Asm. Tony Simone

The bill removes mayoral abuse of bumping provisions, allowing both mayoral and council/commission proposals on the ballot simultaneously. Voters would choose the proposal with the most affirmative votes, empowering citizens and preventing mayors from blocking legitimate charter initiatives.

Stated prior mayors have abused bumping power to suppress City Council proposals, citing a recent example of a proposal to confirm commissioners. Argued the bill restores balance of power and allows voters to see multiple options rather than limiting choices.

The bill removes mayoral bumping powers that have been abused historically, allowing both mayoral and council/commission proposals to appear on ballots simultaneously. This empowers voters and prevents important issues like class size referendums from being blocked by mayors.

Argued prior mayors have abused the bumping power to prevent legitimate City Council proposals from reaching voters. Stated the bill restores balance of power and expands democratic options for voters rather than limiting them.

The bill provides voters early access to sample ballots so they may be informed and prepared before casting votes, addressing the overwhelming nature of the voting process.

The bill provides voters early access to sample ballots so they can be informed and prepared before voting, addressing the fact that current law does not contemplate early voting.

Drop-boxes expand voting access and convenience; used successfully in 33 states and D.C. with fraud rates of 0.0024 percent; addresses mail delivery problems that invalidated thousands of ballots in past elections.

Emphasized that ending the HIV epidemic requires removing barriers to PrEP access, noting the drug disproportionately affects communities of color and men who have sex with men, and that co-pays prevent vulnerable populations from obtaining lifesaving preventative care.

Drop boxes are used successfully in 33 states with no fraud evidence; provide secure alternative to overburdened postal service; address mail ballot invalidation issues from postmark and delay problems; voting access and integrity are key to democracy.

Emphasized that PrEP and PEP are critical tools to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which disproportionately affects communities of color and men who have sex with men, and that co-pays create barriers to care for vulnerable populations.

Drop boxes are used successfully in 33 states with no fraud evidence. They provide secure alternatives to mail voting, which has experienced delays and invalidations. The bill authorizes but does not mandate boxes, and the State Board of Elections will promulgate security rules.

Emphasized that ending the HIV epidemic requires removing barriers to PrEP access, noting the drug disproportionately affects communities of color and men who have sex with men, and that co-pays prevent vulnerable populations from obtaining lifesaving preventative care.

Drop boxes are used successfully in 33 states with no fraud; they provide convenient secure alternative to mail and reduce burden on postal service. Bill authorizes but does not mandate boxes.

Argued that increased notice periods from 10 to 30 days allow communities adequate time to understand and meaningfully participate in major projects. Noted the bill addresses prior veto concerns through compromise on notice periods and that community input improves project outcomes, citing Penn Station redevelopment as an example.

Simone argued that extending the notice period from 10 to 30 days allows communities adequate time to understand and participate in hearings on major projects that change neighborhood character. He noted the bill addresses prior gubernatorial concerns through compromise and that local input improves project outcomes.

Supported the $250 million for redevelopment of underutilized sites for housing, noting it will create over 5,000 housing units including nearly 2,000 affordable units in his district.

Praised the $250 million for redevelopment of underutilized sites for housing, noting it will create over 5,000 housing units including nearly 2,000 affordable units in his district.

Praised the $250 million for redevelopment of underutilized sites for housing, noting it will create over 5,000 housing units including nearly 2,000 affordable units in his district.

Praised the $250 million for redevelopment of underutilized sites for housing, noting it will create over 5,000 housing units including nearly 2,000 affordable units in his district.

Supported the $250 million for redevelopment of underutilized sites for housing, noting it would create over 5,000 housing units including nearly 2,000 affordable units in his district.

Argued the bill creates a transgender safe haven welcoming trans kids, families, and doctors, noting that 14 states have already banned gender-affirming care, 150,000 transgender youth have lost or risk losing access, and research shows access reduces suicide risk by 73 percent. Called it a human rights issue and urged New York to be a beacon of trans rights.

Explained that the bill removes a harmful disclaimer from SONDA that compels homosexuality with criminality. He noted that sexual orientation is the only statutory term among 40 in the Human Rights Law with such a disclaimer, a vestige of homophobia from when New York criminalized consensual sexual acts. He stated there is nothing inherently criminal about sexual orientation and the law should reflect that.