R Sen. Pamela Helming
Key Issues
From committee hearings, floor debate, and bill sponsorship.
Legislative Activity (2025–2026)
Based on complete Senate roll call records.
Top Co-Sponsors
District 54 Profile
Voter Registration
Demographics
Voting Record
Dissenting Votes by Topic
27 additional dissenting votes across other topics
From 1,443 recorded floor votes via OpenLeg API. Dissenting votes grouped by law section to reveal policy patterns.
Floor Speeches: In Support (2)
Argued the amendment would provide transparency about CLCPA compliance costs on a per-ratepayer basis, noting electricity prices have risen 50 percent and are 50 percent above the national average since the law's passage.
Argued the amendment was germane as both the bill and amendment address contraband prevention. Emphasized the safety crisis in correctional facilities affecting incarcerated individuals, corrections officers, and visitors, and advocated for specific tools including canine patrols, secure vendor programs, and mandatory body scanners to address the ongoing threat of prison contraband.
Floor Speeches: In Opposition (14)
Expressed concern that the bill will drive up healthcare premiums at a time when New York premiums are already 13 percent above the national average. Questioned the fiscal transparency of the bill, noting discrepancies in cost estimates, and announced her intention to sponsor legislation requiring fiscal notes on all insurance mandate bills.
The bill adds unnecessary regulatory burden to New York's already difficult business climate, will drive insurance companies and other businesses out of the state, and will increase costs for consumers and small business owners.
Expressed concerns that the bill does not address safety issues or the prison crisis, does not compensate local sheriffs for holding state-ready inmates, and does not address the earnings cap for part-time corrections officers. Called for accountability at all levels and voted against the bill.
Eleven major medical organizations oppose the bill citing patient safety concerns and lack of adequate training for podiatrists to perform ankle surgeries. Suggested waiting for results of a separate study bill before passing this legislation.
Cited recent nursing home closures creating care deserts, particularly in rural areas, and argued resources should address bed shortages and staffing issues rather than mandating body storage facilities. Stated the priority should be increasing opportunities for seniors, not imposing additional regulatory burdens.
Committee Hearing Engagement (4)
| Date | Committee | Engagement | Stance | Focus Areas | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-02-27 | Senate Finance Committee and Assembly Ways and Means Committee (Joint) | low | skeptical | Economic development incentives for new vs. existing businesses | Sen. Helming raised concerns about new business incentive programs potentially disadvantaging existing small businesses in her district, particularly regarding the CATALIST NY program. |
| 2025-02-27 | Joint Legislative Hearing - Senate Finance Committee and Assembly Ways and Means Committee | moderate | skeptical | Pro-Housing Communities and electric capacity Upstate public housing authorities funding Veterans homelessness Transparency and accountability in housing programs | Sen. Helming raised concerns about infrastructure barriers to housing development in upstate communities, particularly electric capacity. She questioned why New York has the highest homelessness rates despite significant housing spending and called for more transparency and accountability in housing programs. |
| 2025-02-05 | Senate Finance Committee and Assembly Ways and Means Committee | low | neutral | Rural mental health services Opioid death data access County health department coordination | Sen. Helming expressed concern about rural mental health services and asked about data access for county health departments. |
| 2025-01-27 | Senate Finance Committee and Assembly Ways and Means Committee (Joint) | none | unclear | Sen. Helming was listed as present but did not ask questions during the hearing. |
Floor Amendments (2)
| Date | Bill | Description | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-20 | A9441 | Amendment based on S5251 by Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick directing the Public Service Commission to determine and disclose the cost per ratepayer of compliance with the CLCPA | defeated |
| 2025-02-24 | S195 | Amendment to require narcotics-detecting canine patrols outside every prison, establish a secure vendor mail program, and allow DOCCS facilities to deny entry to persons refusing body scanner screening | defeated |