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D Sen. James Skoufis

District 42 · Democrat First elected: 2019 Last margin: 14.0% · Lean: R+12

Key Issues

Election 1 for S8604 3 nay
Correction 1 for S5701 1 nay
Public Health 1 for S4854
Executive 1 for S6244
Public Officers 1 for S349
Real Property Taxation 1 against S8161 7 nay
Education 57 bills
Public Health 55 bills
Executive 35 bills
Insurance 30 bills 1 nay
General Business 27 bills 2 nay
Tax 26 bills 52 nay
Penal 25 bills
General Municipal 23 bills 2 nay

From floor debate, and bill sponsorship.

Legislative Activity (2025–2026)

Floor votes 1,443
Party alignment 90.0%
Hearing engagements 0
Bills sponsored 0
Floor mentions 10

Based on complete Senate roll call records.

District 42 Profile

Population 317,482
Median income $95,747
Median rent $1,540
Homeownership 69.8%
Education (BA+) 32.7%
Poverty rate 12.5%

Voter Registration

29%
42%
29%
Dem 29.3% Rep 41.7% Ind/Other 29.0%

Demographics

White 70.5%
Black 9.9%
Hispanic 19.9%
Asian 3.2%

Voting Record

1299 Aye 144 Nay 0 Excused

Dissenting Votes by Topic

Tax 52 nay
Taxation 14 nay
Real Property Taxation 7 nay
Real Property Tax 5 nay
Education 3 nay
Election 3 nay
Environmental Conservation 3 nay
Real Property 3 nay
Suffolk County 3 nay
Firefighters' Benevolent Association 2 nay
General Business 2 nay
General Municipal 2 nay
Genesee County 2 nay
Nassau County 2 nay
Public Health 2 nay
Village 2 nay

37 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 (11)

S8604 An act to amend the Election Law 2026-01-12 PASSED

Argued the bill would elevate New York's relevance in presidential politics by moving it to Super Tuesday, allowing candidates to spend weeks campaigning in New York communities and invest millions in local economies, rather than only visiting for Manhattan fundraisers. Noted New York's demographic diversity mirrors the nation.

S8646A An act to amend the Election Law 2026-01-12 PASSED

He contextualized the bill as a response to election denialism and threats that began six years ago, noting that election workers in Arizona were sent to undisclosed locations for safety. He argued the bill protects workers administering elections who face threats stemming from false claims about election integrity.

S5998B An act to amend the Domestic Relations Law (Kyra's Law) 2025-06-13 PASSED

The bill addresses a critical gap in Family Court procedures by requiring courts to review domestic violence and child abuse allegations before issuing custody orders, preventing tragedies like Kyra Franchetti's death. Skoufis praised Kyra's mother Jacqueline Franchetti for channeling her grief into this consequential legislation to protect New York's children.

S5939B An act to amend the Public Health Law 2025-06-13 PASSED

The bill benefits pharmacists and their patients by establishing fair reimbursement benchmarks modeled after Medicaid rates. Pharmacies face unsustainable losses on many prescriptions, and health plans have the power to reject any PBM attempts to pass costs to consumers.

A5852A An act to amend the General Business Law 2025-06-12 PASSED

The bill places necessary guardrails around kratom, a popular but potentially dangerous substance, by requiring product labeling to inform consumers of risks. Skoufis noted technical refinements may be needed through the chapter amendment process.

Floor Speeches: In Opposition (3)

S8161 An act in relation to authorizing the assessor of the Town of Ramapo, County of Rockland, to accept an application for a real property tax exemption 2025-06-12 PASSED

Argued the bill provides retroactive exemption for a property that was a single-family home and cannot legally be used as a school until planning board approval, creating potential for tax fraud. Recommended colleagues vote against it and urged gubernatorial veto if passed.

A6593 An act to amend Chapter 264 of the Laws of 1961 2025-06-09 PASSED

Voted in the negative on the measure.

S3008C Senate Budget Bill; an act to amend the Executive Law 2025-05-07 PASSED

Delivered extensive critique of the budget process, arguing it reflects an 'authoritarian' system where the Legislature receives only one-tenth of 1% discretionary authority in a $254 billion budget. Called for restoration of checks and balances and legislative coequality with the Executive.

Floor Amendments (2)

Date Bill Description Outcome
2025-06-13 S5939B Amendment to eliminate union self-funded plans and large-group ERISA plans from bill coverage adopted
2025-05-27 S550 Amendment on page 70 (specific language not provided in transcript segment) pending