R Sen. Andrew J. Lanza

Expressed concern that the legislation removes the 30-day state residency requirement, which would allow non-residents to vote in New York primaries. Stated he would support the bill if it only addressed the 17-year-old voting gap without removing residency requirements.

Voted in opposition to the measure.

Conducted extensive questioning revealing the fund would cover investigations by federal agencies (FBI, U.S. Attorney, Treasury, SEC, etc.), could cover crimes like bribery if deemed politically motivated, and lacks clear safeguards preventing payment even after conviction. Argued this represents an unprecedented use of taxpayer dollars to defend officials against personal crimes unrelated to their positions.

Voted no, arguing that passing extenders enables the Governor to delay finalizing the budget and that the Legislature should not preemptively grant unilateral power to address hypothetical future deficits.

Stated the bill will cause more harm than good and blamed the legislation for threatening reliable energy access, noting constituents should be grateful for the ability to heat their homes in winter.