R Sen. Steve Rhoads

The bill erodes New Yorkers' rights to clean, safe, affordable energy by making gas service unaffordable or impossible to obtain. The state lacks actual solutions to replace natural gas and is pursuing hope and talk rather than a realistic plan.

The bill's broad language would prohibit legitimate training agreements in volunteer fire departments, SAFER Grant programs, and the Excelsior Grant program. The statute contains no wiggle room and would illegalize arm's-length contracts that clearly specify training costs and employment duration requirements.

Raised a fatal flaw: requiring discharge plans before release creates a conflict because DOCCS loses legal authority to hold individuals once a wrongful conviction judgment is issued, but the 60-day planning timeline may extend beyond that point. Acknowledged the bill's good intentions but stated this timing issue makes implementation problematic.

Voted in opposition to the measure.

Expressed concern that the bill lacks clarity on what constitutes a violation, noting the statute does not reference federal law standards that the sponsor relied upon. Questioned how payment processors can comply with state law if compliance criteria are not spelled out in the statute itself.

Rhoads argued the bill makes sense for New York City but not for other jurisdictions like Long Island, and requested the Senate revisit the measure to restore local control and zoning authority.

Voted in opposition to the measure.

Criticized lack of mandatory psychiatric evaluation, insufficient medical record review requirements, sampling-based oversight by Health Commissioner, and absence of case-by-case physician review.

Expressed concern about state preemption of local control, arguing that while some guidelines make sense in areas with no restrictions, municipalities should retain authority to make decisions reflecting local dynamics and economic conditions.

Argued that subsection B's vague wording may intrude on attorney work product and violate attorney-client privilege, urging the sponsor to address these concerns in a future session.

Questioned why DEC lacks authority to adjust goals/timelines despite having expertise. Noted Apollo program cost $318 billion in today's dollars, questioned whether Ontario municipalities actually passed savings to consumers, and emphasized burden on low-income families already facing 23% grocery inflation.

Argued mask penalty provision does nothing to prevent crime since it only applies after a crime is committed and caught. Questioned why the state doesn't simply criminalize mask-wearing for identity concealment purposes. Extensively criticized electric school bus mandate as unaffordable, with insufficient funding ($600M available vs. $20B needed), grid capacity issues, and safety concerns.

Challenged the NUMC allocation process, questioning who developed the plan and decided on the $50 million amount without input from county executive, hospital board, or CEO. Argued the Governor is using the budget to seize control of NUMC rather than address legitimate operational needs, and criticized the lack of communication between state and hospital leadership.

Characterized the budget as evidence of MTA and Governor addiction to spending, with the Legislature acting as enablers. Cited New York's status as highest-taxed state with worst business climate and highest outward migration, arguing the payroll tax is a tax on job creation.

Demanded fiscal accountability and a forensic audit of the MTA before continuing to fund it, comparing the situation to a parent questioning a child about missing allowance money.

Strongly opposed Part LL, arguing the Governor deliberately starved Nassau University Medical Center of $500 million in funding to create financial instability as pretext for takeover, violating local control and bond covenants.

Raised safety concerns about the state's electric school bus mandate requiring all purchases to be electric by June 1, 2027. Cited data showing 20 percent of electric buses out of service daily and detailed dangers of lithium-ion battery thermal runaway, spontaneous combustion, and explosive hydrogen gas emissions. Argued electric vehicle fires are more intense and spread faster than diesel fires on a percentage basis.

Argued the bill violates due process by imposing strict liability without fault findings or identifiable harm at specific locations, unlike federal Superfund. Contended the Legislature acts as judge, jury, and executioner, and that joint and several liability could force remaining companies to pay for others' obligations.