R Sen. Dean Murray
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 3 Profile
Voter Registration
Demographics
Voting Record
Dissenting Votes by Topic
20 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 (6)
Supported the bill as a positive step to keep crime victims informed of the criminal process, though suggested adding a confirmation requirement for notifications sent via email and other new methods.
Noted that $40 million in benefits have been stolen since 2022 and urged departments to implement the chip technology before the June 21, 2027 deadline, with federal cost-sharing at 50%.
Emphasized that crime victims in New York often feel victimized again when denied a voice in court, particularly when felony charges are reduced to misdemeanors. Argued the bill is important for the healing process and gives victims the opportunity to be heard.
Murray praised the bill as commonsense legislation that removes obstacles for women and minority-owned businesses, citing the example of an MWBE owner denied recertification despite no changes to her business.
Murray recounted his personal experience with a life-threatening blood clot and emphasized that the bill's working group will educate the public about symptoms and prevention, potentially saving lives through awareness and information sharing.
Floor Speeches: In Opposition (7)
Contended that the board should include members with victims' rights experience, arguing that everything in the criminal justice system affects crime victims. She stated the bill sends the message that victims don't matter.
Noted contradictions in debate regarding cost impacts and technological feasibility. Compared to tariff debate where cost increases are acknowledged, argued companies will pass costs to consumers. Preferred the alternative Affordable Waste Reduction Act (S5062).
Delivered extensive critique of the MTA payroll tax as a job killer, arguing it disproportionately harms small and mid-sized businesses and would incentivize relocation. Detailed MTA's poor fiscal management, including $525-800 million annual fare evasion losses and wasteful spending on consultants and infrastructure projects.
Argued that chip technology funding should be included in the budget to prevent the $40 million in annual fraud losses on SNAP cards, noting the Department of Labor already uses this technology and federal funds would cover half the cost.
Expressed frustration with the MTA as a 'money pit,' noting that fare and toll evasion losses have increased from $150 million in 2017 to nearly $800 million, and that overtime costs hit a record $1.42 billion, contradicting claims of efficiency improvements.
Committee Hearing Engagement (2)
| Date | Committee | Engagement | Stance | Focus Areas | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-02-26 | New York State Senate Finance Committee and Assembly Ways and Means Committee | high | skeptical | cannabis cultivation licensing and inspections cannabis mail delivery and enforcement Station Yards project support | Sen. Murray raised serious concerns about OCM's cannabis licensing inspection practices, citing a specific case where inspections were not conducted despite claims. He also questioned mail delivery enforcement and requested offline discussion of specific cases. |
| 2025-02-25 | Senate Finance Committee and Assembly Ways and Means Committee (Joint) | low | neutral | Opportunity Promise tracking Endowment spending | Sen. Murray asked about tracking whether Opportunity Promise graduates stay in-state and questioned endowment spending at Stony Brook University. |