Thomas P. Morahan's Blog

Last week I was appointed by the Senate Majority to Chair the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee, a post I held previously for a number of years.  As I assume this role I am very well aware of a number of mental health priorities that need to be addressed in our state.

Some of the country's most significant Thanksgivings have come in years when gratitude wouldn't appear to come easy. And yet perhaps because of that it acquired a depth and strength that gave it added meaning and helped Americans weather their troubles and maintain this improbable but amazingly successful Union.

I want to make you aware of two new laws that were recently signed that will help make health insurance more accessible for New York residents. I supported and voted for both of these measures during this year’s Senate session to help make health insurance more affordable for both families and young adults as our state recovers from the current economic crisis.

I’m very pleased that the Senate has passed the most significant, sweeping legislative reforms in its history. The beneficiaries of those changes are the people of this state. As result, the Senate will be more open, transparent and accountable.

Each and every member of the Senate will now be empowered by these reforms. Every Senator will be treated fairly and given equitable resources to ensure they can effectively represent their constituents.

The days of legislative leaders dominating everything that happens in Albany is over.