D Sen. Pete Harckham

Spoke about personal experience with his mother's painful death and her desire for control at end of life, arguing the bill provides dignity and choice for those facing terminal illness.

Emphasized that domestic violence and firearms are dangerous together, citing three fatal incidents in Westchester County over six weeks. Noted that 20 percent of women killed in domestic violence are killed within two days of filing an order of protection, making the five-day firearm confiscation period critical for safety planning.

Thanked the sponsor and defended the CLCPA, arguing that grid modernization costs are necessary regardless of renewable energy policy and that clean energy is cheaper than fossil fuels.

Sponsor emphasized that first responders face high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide due to trauma exposure. The bill replicates the successful Dwyer Veterans program and provides confidential peer support, allowing first responders to work with each other and break the stigma of appearing weak.

Sponsor emphasized this is a public health bill addressing microplastics and nanoplastics in human bodies. Cited Consumer Reports study showing zero cost to consumers, noted 315 organizations support the bill, and highlighted that 99% of NY farms are exempted. Defended the 12-year timeline as achievable given technological advances.

The bill's sponsor explained that climate change requires New York to address resilience through coordinated state action. He cited local examples like the $25 million Annsville Circle project needed due to sea level rise and emphasized the need for a resiliency coordinator in every state agency to address flooding, heat, storms, and infrastructure challenges.

Sustainable Futures Program sponsor emphasized union protections and prevailing wage requirements for public spending, noted the program replaces cap-and-invest revenue, and explained that renewable energy investments will lower costs long-term despite short-term ratepayer impacts. Defended the program's flexibility and community-centered approach.

Defended clean energy and zero-emissions transportation, noting that carbon-based fires in vehicles are more prevalent than electric vehicle fires on a numerical and per-capita basis. Highlighted that students on diesel buses breathe 19 times more harmful pollutants than those not on buses.

Supported the bill but noted that gasoline automobile fires and natural gas explosions destroy far more homes and buildings than battery fires, suggesting the risks are being overstated.

He corrected claims about CLCPA costs, noting Chapter 10 details implementation costs developed over thousands of hours. He argued current high utility costs stem from rate cases, weather, and commodity pricing—not CLCPA—and that clean energy is cheaper than carbon-based energy.

Stated constituents are already paying twice—through record oil company profits and through climate damage costs like grid rebuilding and infrastructure repairs. Argued oil companies covered up knowledge of climate harm in the 1970s and should bear responsibility for resiliency costs.