D Sen. Liz Krueger

Voted yes, noting the debate highlighted how easily people can be exploited through gambling on phones and supporting the bill as a step toward preventing both illegal and legal online gaming.

The bill requires notice to patients when healthcare professionals are under investigation for professional misconduct, allowing patients to make informed decisions about their care. This addresses cases like New York Presbyterian where patients were not notified of investigations into sexual abuse.

There is a direct correlation between advertising exposure and children's demands on parents. The bill helps discourage children from wanting unhealthy foods rather than restricting low-income families' purchasing power, which would be ineffective since low-income families actually eat more healthily due to budget constraints.

Sponsor argued the bill protects 30,000 residents in 12,000 ground-lease co-op units, primarily middle-income and older New Yorkers on fixed incomes who invested life savings in their homes. The bill does not change existing contracts but clarifies that if a building defaults due to excessive land-lease costs, residents can remain as rent-regulated tenants under existing 1974 law, similar to protections for manufactured home park residents.

Drew parallels to chip technology already standard on credit cards and expressed concern that vulnerable SNAP recipients are least able to afford benefit theft. Urged faster implementation and called for gubernatorial support.

Defended the bill and disputed claims that CLCPA drives utility costs, citing PSC studies showing CLCPA adds minimal costs to monthly bills. Argued the real solution is moving faster to low-cost sustainable energy and passing the HEAT Act.

The bill is carefully sculpted and supported by the financial industry. It deters wasteful litigation that has resulted in disruptive cases like the Argentine holdout creditor litigation involving 300 lawsuits and 35 appeals over a decade. The champerty law existed from the 1800s until 2004 and worked fine; restoring it protects New York investors and the sovereign debt market while leaving courts to determine legitimacy of claims.

New York must continue strengthening laws to welcome people from across the country who need healthcare unavailable in their home states. The bill protects doctors and scientists from being removed from successful programs due to political agendas targeting LGBTQ individuals and reproductive healthcare.

The federal government already regulates what banks can invest in, so state regulation is not unprecedented. Research shows disturbing outcomes at many private prisons, and it is appropriate for New York to decide certain business activities are not in the best interests of people.

She drew parallels to lead paint dangers and argued that major paint corporations already offer non-PFAS alternatives, so consumers will not need to leave the state to purchase compliant paint. She supported the ban as a critical public health measure.

Expressed strong support for library access to books, stating she finds book banning terrifying and citing historical examples of censorship and book burning as tools of control.

The bill expands prior law to prevent license suspensions for those unable to pay tax debts, allowing people to work and eventually pay taxes owed. The measure requires documentation of inability to pay and particularly benefits upstate residents who depend on driver's licenses for employment.

Praised Sen. Cooney for bringing the bill forward and highlighted the importance of lowering taxation on medical marijuana and streamlining research collection to help patients make informed healthcare decisions about cannabis products.

As Finance Committee chair and bill sponsor, defended the budget's comprehensive approach to housing, climate, and infrastructure. Explained CREST discretionary capital fund allocation (split three ways between Governor, Assembly, and Senate), justified the $50 million NUMC allocation as part of broader restructuring effort, and noted that affordable housing typically involves multiple funding streams.

As sponsor, explained the bill's provisions including the $1.4 billion annual MTA payroll tax increase, lockbox mechanisms for capital funding, and various tax credit expansions. Defended the necessity of the revenue measures for MTA capital projects and infrastructure needs.

Argued the $10 million fund supplements existing Public Officers Law protections for investigations (not just prosecutions), covers situations where investigations may be politically motivated, and includes safeguards requiring repayment if individuals are convicted. Stated the fund addresses concerns about federal government targeting state officials.

Sponsor defended the budget as necessary, noting the MTA has identified $500-600 million in savings and efficiencies. Emphasized the MTA is in better shape than most transit systems and that the state must invest in public transportation as an economic engine for the region.

Defended pension enhancements for various law enforcement agencies as necessary for recruitment and retention. Noted that corrections officer pension expansion was proposed but rejected by the Executive. Provided data on National Guard deployment (3,115) and emergency response costs ($535 million).

Defended Part LL changes to Nassau University Medical Center governance, citing documented financial mismanagement and the need for state intervention to stabilize the hospital and protect critical services.

Sponsor indicated this is likely the final extender before budget bills are released, though a supplemental extender will be needed the next day. Staff has been working hard on the budget process.

Highlighted that the bill addresses sophisticated technology used to hide sales tax collection and evasion, costing the state $1.7 billion annually. Argued it is necessary to send a message against tax fraud and to ensure compliance among all businesses.

Clarified that the bill applies only to New York City Board of Election workers, not to counties statewide, and expressed support for the measure.

Sponsor explained the budget is at a conceptual agreement stage with three-way discussions ongoing on policy details. Emphasized the Legislature increased education aid compared to the Governor's proposal and that final language will be needed before bills are brought to the floor.

Defended the extender as necessary to provide appropriation authority while negotiations continue. Noted that staff are working on substantive budget discussions regarding housing, environmental issues, Foundation Aid, and healthcare, with concerns about potential federal cuts to education and healthcare funding under the Trump administration.

She supported the bill as addressing actual investigations into overcharges rather than routine rate increases, noting constituents struggle with utility affordability and risk losing electricity or heat. She argued the government has an obligation to ensure utilities follow rules and rates are set appropriately.

Supported the bill, citing stores that charge 3 percent surcharges for credit card use, which effectively forces consumers away from cash and increases costs. She argued this contradicts efforts to address affordability and rising costs.

Explained that the extender provides $3.8 billion in appropriation authority for payroll and payments to the Department of Health, Department of Labor, and Department of Veteran Affairs, and that extender spending reflects continuation of prior-year funding levels rather than new expenditures.

Sponsor of the extender bill. Explained that the $1.7 billion appropriation covers payroll costs and payments for Department of Health, Medical Assistance Administration, Department of Labor, Office of Mental Health, and Department of Veterans' Affairs, with approximately $1.1 billion allocated for Medicaid covering roughly one week of expenses.

The debt service bill is critical to assure all New Yorkers and creditors that the state will make timely payments on its $56.5 billion in outstanding debt. The additional $10 billion authorization provides necessary flexibility for potential capital budget borrowing without obligating actual spending beyond what is borrowed.

The bill makes New York consistent with most states and protects consumers and small businesses from being ripped off by those with larger assets. New York already restricted confessions of judgment for larger companies and out-of-state companies, and consumers deserve the same protections.

More people should be involved in democracy through poll work, and she noted that in New York City, poll workers do not know the constituents entering poll sites anyway. She supported expanding poll worker opportunities more broadly.

Sponsor emphasized the bill has 100 memos in support and no opposition. Noted that gas-powered lawn equipment in New York produced 1.4 million tons of climate pollution in 2020, equivalent to 300,000 cars annually, and causes respiratory health issues including asthma and cardiovascular disease. Explained NYSERDA has funding flexibility through RGGI and other sources to implement the program.

Sponsor argued the bill applies established polluter-pays principles similar to federal Superfund and GE PCB cleanup, noting companies knew since the 1970s of climate damage. Emphasized the assessment is relatively small for major corporations and economic models show companies will not pass costs to consumers due to competitive pressures.

The bill addresses a critical privacy gap by requiring opt-in consent for health data sharing. She illustrated the problem with an example of telehealth erectile dysfunction medication purchases, where companies can freely sell customer information to third parties without consent, and argued all New Yorkers deserve protection of sensitive personal health information.

Argued that New York's abortion rights law is meaningless without adequate access to trained providers. Stated that reproductive healthcare deserts exist statewide and that the bill would create community training centers to train family physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician's assistants in abortion and pregnancy-related care.