Sen. Dan Stec

Advance notice of inmate transfers could facilitate escapes with outside assistance, as demonstrated by the 2015 Clinton Correctional Facility escape. Public safety must come first, and the existing 24-hour post-transfer notification window is sufficient; the inconvenience to families is an acceptable trade-off for security.

Voted in opposition to the measure.

Questioned cost estimates, citing York University study projecting $1.3 billion cost ($450-$732 per household annually). Noted over 100 business memos of opposition and compared bill to CLCPA, arguing it goes beyond other states' EPR laws without proven benefits.

The bill fails to address sexual assaults against corrections officers and civilian staff despite their documented experiences. Since HALT Act implementation, violence in prisons has surged, staffing is critically depleted, and corrections officers face unprecedented safety concerns that this bill ignores.

Extensively criticized the bill for not addressing the causes of the corrections officers' strike, including HALT reform, contraband issues, and staffing levels. Noted 2,000 COs have been fired since the strike, assaults on staff have doubled since HALT, and 7 inmate deaths from overdoses occurred in 2024. Questioned why body scanners were made optional and criticized the $535 million emergency response allocation.

Criticized the deployment of 6,000 National Guard members at $100 million monthly as financially irresponsible compared to rehiring 2,000 qualified corrections officers at $20 million monthly, and argued the administration ignored safety concerns that prompted the officers' strike.

While not speaking against the bill itself, Sen. Stec appealed the ruling that his amendment to repeal the HALT Act was nongermane, arguing that prison workplace violence is directly related to the bill's subject matter and citing dramatic increases in assaults on correctional staff and inmates since HALT's 2021 implementation.

Raised concerns about the extensive opposition list, questioned the scientific basis for banning PVC (noting it is used safely in medical applications), criticized the exclusion of advanced recycling, and estimated the bill will cost New Yorkers $800 per year in increased grocery bills.

Criticized the deviation from OCA recommendations and the exclusion of Essex County despite six years of requests and documented caseload data showing need. Compared Essex County (37,000 people with one judge) to Hamilton County (5,000 people with one judge) to illustrate the disparity.

Voted against the measure.

Voted in opposition to the measure.

Argued that mandating Hamilton County to increase from two to six elections commissioners over four years makes no sense for a county with 4,400 population and a small tax base. Advocated for a carveout for small counties or allowing counties to determine their own staffing levels.

Contended the bill was duplicative of existing oversight by the Office of the Ombudsman and Council of Children and Families, and argued the state should fix its own agencies rather than creating parallel oversight structures. Raised concerns about facility disruption, staff rights, costs, and questioned whether the Correctional Association had an unstated agenda to close juvenile facilities.

The bill is duplicative and unnecessary, as fenceline monitoring is already overseen by DEC under existing regulatory authority. He argued that technical specifications (calibration frequency, spacing, threshold limits) do not yet exist in guidelines, putting the cart before the horse, and that the bill could incentivize companies to build taller smokestacks rather than reduce emissions.

Argued that nursing homes received insufficient funding ($285 million vs. $510 million requested), that Medicaid rebasing has not occurred since 2007, and that the VAP program cut from $100 million to $25 million will lead to more nursing home closures.

Argued the $2.4 billion represents inverted priorities, noting it exceeds combined funding for CHIPS, local roads, and the Environmental Protection Fund, and that the crisis was invited and ignored by city leadership.

Criticized lack of meaningful bail reform, noting New York is only state not allowing judges to consider dangerousness. Expressed concern about prison closures with insufficient notice and lack of economic impact assistance to host communities.

Emphasized the importance of process and constitutional deadlines, noting that school superintendents are statutorily required to meet April 23rd and April 26th deadlines. Stated that 300 school districts were told by the Governor they would receive less funding and are now guessing at budget numbers.

Expressed concern about erosion of public safety and corrections officer safety, stated he was tired of what he characterized as kowtowing to criminals, and called the bill ridiculous.

Stated the bill is about rejecting natural gas, not safety concerns, and called the processes completely different. Argued the state should allow DEC to review and permit the process rather than denying the agency the opportunity based on dislike of natural gas.

Questioned the D.C. Circuit analogy, noting it is neutral territory independent of states, unlike New York counties. Criticized the bill as anticipatory defensive legislation in response to the Steuben County judge's 2022 redistricting decision. Argued the restriction denies constituents the right to appear before judges they elected and prevents local courts from considering local community factors.

The proposed amendment would require a cost-benefit analysis of meeting CLCPA renewable energy targets, including impacts on consumer bills and energy prices. New Yorkers are struggling with high inflation and energy costs, and the Legislature has set ambitious renewable goals without doing due diligence on ratepayer impacts.

As a former town supervisor, acknowledged the bill sponsor's procedural point but emphasized that voters, not legislators, should decide incorporation questions. Voters are capable of making wise decisions, as demonstrated when they rejected a proposed village incorporation in his district.

While ultimately supporting the bill, raised concerns about federal preemption, enforcement mechanisms, potential litigation delays, and questioned whether the state has adequate resources to monitor compliance.

Voted against the measure

Voted in opposition to the bill.

Questioned whether the bill improves public safety and noted NY is an outlier in not considering dangerousness. Referenced a recent shooting case where bail issues arose and questioned why judges lack discretion on non-qualifying offenses.

Called the eFMAP cuts a $774 million price tag that will pressure county property taxes to increase 7-14%, describing it as a tax cap buster and unfunded mandate completely out of counties' control.

Requested clarification on which policy items have fallen off the table and sought an update on bail reform and criminal justice changes still under negotiation.

Appealed the ruling that an amendment requiring state cost analysis of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act was nongermane, arguing New Yorkers have a right to know the costs of transitioning to renewable energy and that the $300 billion estimated cost is likely understated, citing the Port of Albany wind turbine project as an example of cost escalation.

Stec warned the bill represents socialization of the energy sector and creates a "monster" in the Power Authority. He highlighted NYPA's existing $2.2 billion debt and noted that all state authorities carry $329 billion in debt that taxpayers are ultimately responsible for, circumventing constitutional voter approval requirements.

The bill imposes costs on county taxpayers without state funding and should not be mandated without first securing the necessary money. Essex County has successfully operated with part-time election commissioners and has demonstrated competence in defending against election law challenges, proving full-time commissioners are not necessary.

Opposed the bill as creating inconsistency in state policy, noting that while the legislature wants full-time commissioners in every county, this bill eliminates county representation on the NYC board. Argued this contradicts the principle that all Supreme Courts are equal in all 62 counties.

Criticized the bill for granting flexibility to boards of elections on portable sites while refusing similar flexibility on other election law matters. Cited his county's unsuccessful attempts to relocate an early-voting site to a more secure, accessible location, arguing the Legislature is inconsistent in when it allows local discretion.

Emphasized that his district is larger than Connecticut and Rhode Island combined, and constituents on the Canadian border would need to drive 3-5 hours to Albany. Argued the bill disenfranchises rural voters and violates equal access to law principles. Called it the most blatantly unconstitutional legislation he has seen in 11 years in the Legislature.