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D Sen. Michelle Hinchey

District 41 · Democrat First elected: 2021 Last margin: 17.3% · Lean: Even

Key Issues

emerging contaminants in water 2025-01-28
leachate regulations and landfill management 2025-01-28
solar siting on prime farmland 2025-01-28
land trust acquisition delays 2025-01-28
small water company oversight 2025-01-28
On-site treatment of landfill leachate 2025-01-28
Reliable funding streams for water infrastructure 2025-01-28
CHIPS-like funding model 2025-01-28
School food programs and local farm purchasing 2025-01-27
Hemp processing infrastructure 2025-01-27
Farm Overtime Tax Credit 2025-01-27
Farmland preservation 2025-01-27
Federal funding changes and USDA programs 2025-01-27
Agrivoltaics and solar development 2025-01-27
Farmland protection and conservation easements 2025-01-27

From committee hearings, floor debate, and bill sponsorship.

Legislative Activity (2025–2026)

Floor votes 1,443
Party alignment 99.0%
Hearing engagements 0
Bills sponsored 0
Floor mentions 8

Based on complete Senate roll call records.

District 41 Profile

Population 322,656
Median income $79,363
Median rent $1,229
Homeownership 70.9%
Education (BA+) 35.7%
Poverty rate 11.5%

Voter Registration

37%
36%
27%
Dem 36.7% Rep 35.9% Ind/Other 27.4%

Demographics

White 82.3%
Black 5.1%
Hispanic 8.9%
Asian 2.0%

Voting Record

1429 Aye 14 Nay 0 Excused

Dissenting Votes by Topic

Taxation 6 nay
Tax 5 nay

3 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 (4)

A9441 An act to amend the Public Service Law 2026-01-20 PASSED

Supported the bill for providing transparency on utility capital projects to prevent wasteful spending on fossil fuel infrastructure and ensure investment in renewable energy.

S7638A An act to amend the General Municipal Law 2025-06-11 PASSED

The bill expands markets for New York farmers and helps municipalities like New York City purchase more local products. The 51 percent sourcing requirement is modeled after the successful New York Grown and Certified Program. The bill addresses previous gubernatorial veto concerns by incorporating existing Ag & Markets programs and has support from farming organizations like NOFA.

S4497 An act to amend the Insurance Law to require commercial insurance coverage of egg freezing and storage 2025-06-09 PASSED

The bill represents the first house in the country to pass egg freezing coverage requirements, enabling women to choose when and how to start families while pursuing careers. This addresses current inequities where only wealthy individuals and those at large companies have access to fertility preservation options.

S7165A An act to amend the Public Service Law to allow the PSC to consider mental anguish and pain and suffering of consumers when determining utility penalties 2025-06-05 PASSED

The bill allows PSC to consider mental anguish only in cases of egregious utility conduct, such as the Central Hudson billing crisis where constituents faced potential loss of farms, inability to pay rent or mortgages, and suicidal ideation. Penalties would be paid by utilities, not ratepayers, under Public Service Law Section 25.

Committee Hearing Engagement (3)

Date Committee Engagement Stance Focus Areas Summary
2025-01-28 FINANCE supportive emerging contaminants in water leachate regulations and landfill management solar siting on prime farmland land trust acquisition delays small water company oversight Sen. Hinchey asked detailed questions about water quality issues and land conservation, showing concern about emerging contaminants and the need for stronger oversight of small water systems.
2025-01-28 FINANCE supportive On-site treatment of landfill leachate Reliable funding streams for water infrastructure CHIPS-like funding model Sen. Hinchey asked about on-site treatment of landfill contaminants and expressed support for a CHIPS-like funding model for water infrastructure. He noted pending DEC regulations on landfill leachate treatment.
2025-01-27 Senate Finance Committee and Assembly Ways and Means Committee (Joint) supportive School food programs and local farm purchasing Hemp processing infrastructure Farm Overtime Tax Credit Farmland preservation Federal funding changes and USDA programs Agrivoltaics and solar development Farmland protection and conservation easements Chair Hinchey asked detailed questions about agricultural programs, expressing strong support for local food systems, farmland protection, and addressing federal funding uncertainties. She advocated for expanding breakfast in school food programs and increasing farmland preservation funding.

Floor Amendments (1)

Date Bill Description Outcome
2025-05-12 S3838 Amendments offered to Calendar Number 657, Senate Print Number 3838 (specific details not provided in transcript) received