Thank you for joining me for my 2026 State of the District Address.

Seeing so many residents, community leaders, faith leaders, veterans, advocates, educators, small-business owners, nonprofit partners and public servants gathered in one room was a powerful reminder of what makes our community special. This address gave me an opportunity to report directly to you about the work I have been doing in Albany and throughout the district. It also allowed us to reflect on the issues affecting our neighborhoods, celebrate the progress we have made together and discuss the work that still lies ahead.

I do not take your trust for granted. Every phone call, email, office visit, community meeting and conversation helps me better understand what you need from your state government. Your concerns and experiences continue to shape my legislative priorities and the services provided by my district office. Whether you joined me in person, watched online or are reading this recap now, thank you for remaining informed, involved and committed to the future of our community. It remains an honor to serve you.

Watch the full address here: youtube.com/watch?si=EVzimxL9xDg_a0nD&v=UfCF17kmdb0&feature=youtu.be

It was important to me to bring our community together to reflect on the progress we have made, speak honestly about the challenges that remain and share how I plan to continue serving the residents of the 14th Senate District. Whether you attended in person or are catching up from home, I hope you will take a moment to explore this recap, watch the full address above and learn more about the work my office has carried out on behalf of our community.

A Report To Our Community

Over the past year, my work has remained focused on addressing the issues that matter most to the people of Senate District 14, protecting homeowners, improving our transportation network, investing in our young people, strengthening consumer protections and ensuring government is accountable to the communities it serves.

One of the most significant developments this year was the adoption of New York’s $254 billion State Budget. Although budget negotiations extended beyond the traditional deadline, I remained committed to securing investments that support working families, seniors, students and historically underserved communities. I also shared that eligible New Yorkers are expected to receive inflation rebate checks of up to $200 later this year, providing additional relief as households continue to navigate rising costs.

Housing continues to be one of the greatest challenges facing Queens. Our district continues to experience one of the highest foreclosure rates in New York State, placing many longtime homeowners at risk of losing the homes and generational wealth they worked so hard to build. While additional funding was secured for foreclosure prevention efforts, I made clear that we must continue expanding those programs and strengthening protections against deed theft, which continues to target vulnerable homeowners throughout our communities.

Creating more opportunities for young people remains another top priority. I continue to advocate for expanded after-school programming and educational resources that provide students with safe, enriching environments beyond the classroom. In a community where many parents commute long hours, our schools and community institutions must continue serving as places where young people can learn, grow and succeed. I also reaffirmed my support for increasing the minimum wage to $20 per hour, ensuring that hardworking New Yorkers earn wages that better reflect today’s cost of living.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, I also shared my ongoing efforts to strengthen oversight of New York’s public authorities. Whether it’s the MTA or another state authority, taxpayers deserve transparency and accountability. Public agencies should be able to clearly demonstrate how public dollars are being spent and ensure projects are completed responsibly, efficiently and with the public’s trust in mind.

Transportation and infrastructure continue to be essential to the future of Senate District 14. I provided updates on accessibility improvements at Long Island Rail Road stations serving our communities, including St. Albans, Laurelton and Hollis, while continuing to advocate for additional investments that improve safety, reliability and accessibility for commuters. I also reiterated my support for reopening the 165th Street entrance near the Jamaica station area, which would improve access for York College students, residents and commuters while supporting the continued growth of downtown Jamaica.

Healthcare investments were also an important part of my report. Every family deserves access to quality healthcare close to home. I discussed the importance of increasing support for Jamaica Hospital, Queens Hospital and healthcare services serving the Rockaways, ensuring these institutions have the resources necessary to meet the growing needs of our communities.

I also provided updates on several legislative initiatives that will directly impact residents across our district. These efforts include strengthening consumer protections by providing restitution for vehicle owners when repair shops fail to meet legal requirements, requiring utility companies to develop stronger storm resiliency plans, increasing enforcement against illegal vaping products, establishing repairability scores that help consumers make informed purchasing decisions before buying electronic devices and increasing penalties for copper wire theft that disrupts critical telecommunications infrastructure.

Additional legislation focuses on improving the parking violations process by making it easier for residents to respond to notices, strengthening oversight of utility rate cases before the Public Service Commission, requiring greater transparency through Consumer Impact Reports and increasing accountability when utilities fail to comply with state law. Together, these measures help ensure consumers have a stronger voice while improving fairness and transparency across state government.

Protecting public safety and supporting homeowners also remain priorities. I highlighted legislation addressing the growing threat posed by illegally manufactured 3D-printed firearms, proposals supporting retirement and pension benefits for first responders and public employees and legislation creating a clearer legal process for homeowners who need temporary access to adjoining properties in order to complete necessary repairs safely and efficiently.

Throughout the address, I also spoke about the importance of continuing to work alongside community organizations, advocates, faith leaders and local partners who serve our district every day. Lasting progress is only possible when government works hand in hand with the people it represents, and I remain committed to ensuring that historically underserved communities continue receiving the investment, resources and representation they deserve.

While we’ve made meaningful progress together, there is still important work ahead. I remain committed to protecting homeowners, strengthening our infrastructure, supporting working families, advocating for our seniors and young people, delivering thoughtful legislation and ensuring that every resident of Senate District 14 has a strong voice in Albany.

Delivering Results For New Yorkers 

One of my most important responsibilities as your State Senator is advancing legislation that responds to the real concerns of the people I represent. My legislative work has remained focused on protecting consumers, increasing accountability, supporting working families, strengthening essential infrastructure and making government work more effectively for New Yorkers. Below are a few measures I highlighted as part of my legislative report.

S.8416 — FAIR Business Practices Act : This law modernizes New York’s consumer-protection system and gives the state stronger tools to address unfair, deceptive and abusive business practices. Hidden fees, scams, misleading conduct and other harmful marketplace practices can have a serious impact on seniors, working families and honest small businesses. This measure strengthens accountability and helps ensure that New Yorkers are treated fairly.

S.3799C — Access to Adjoining Property for Repairs: Some repairs, scaffolding projects and safety improvements cannot be completed without limited access to a neighboring property. This law creates a clearer legal process for property owners or lessees who need temporary access to adjoining property to complete necessary work. The goal is to help essential repairs move forward while protecting neighboring property owners and reducing unnecessary disputes.

S.7230 — Protecting ESCO Customer Refunds: This law requires energy service companies, commonly known as ESCOs, to follow the same rules as utility companies when handling unclaimed customer deposits and refunds. Before this change, a loophole could allow money belonging to former or current customers to remain with an ESCO. This law helps ensure that consumers have a clearer path to recover funds that are rightfully owed to them and strengthens accountability within New York’s energy marketplace.

S.7230 — Protecting ESCO Customer Refunds: This law requires energy service companies, commonly known as ESCOs, to follow the same rules as utility companies when handling unclaimed customer deposits and refunds. Before this change, a loophole could allow money belonging to former or current customers to remain with an ESCO. This law helps ensure that consumers have a clearer path to recover funds that are rightfully owed to them and strengthens accountability within New York’s energy marketplace.

S.50 — Paid Family Leave for Construction Workers: This law allows eligible union construction workers who work for multiple employers to maintain access to paid family leave benefits. Construction workers frequently move between employers or experience temporary layoffs. Those changes should not unnecessarily interrupt their ability to care for a new child, support a loved one or respond to an important family need.

My legislative work has also included measures addressing consumer restitution for vehicle owners, utility storm hardening, illegal vaping products, commuter representation, product repairability, telecommunications theft, parking-violation procedures and hospital capital investments. These measures may address different issues, but they are connected by a shared purpose: protecting residents, strengthening accountability and improving the systems New Yorkers depend on.

Click here to learn more about my legislation: https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/leroy-comrie/legislation

My District Office Recap

Every day, my district office helps residents communicate with government agencies, understand public programs, address utility concerns, navigate housing matters and access information and services. Behind every number in this report is a neighbor who called, emailed or visited my office because they needed assistance. I am grateful to my staff for the patience, care and persistence they bring to this work.

These figures are not simply statistics. Each number represents someone who trusted my office enough to ask for help. I remain committed to maintaining a district office that is accessible, responsive and focused on the needs of the people I serve.

Watch the full address here: youtube.com/watch?si=EVzimxL9xDg_a0nD&v=UfCF17kmdb0&feature=youtu.be

I invite you to watch my full 2026 State of the District Address to hear directly from me about our progress, legislative accomplishments, district services and priorities for the year ahead. Click the image above to tune in! Please feel free to share the video with your neighbors, civic association, community organization or anyone interested in learning more about the work taking place throughout our district.

My State of the District Address allowed us to reflect on how far we have come, but it was also an opportunity to focus on what comes next. I will continue working in Albany and throughout the district to strengthen consumer protections, improve transportation and infrastructure, support working families, address utility affordability, expand opportunities for young people and help residents access responsive government services.

I will also continue advocating for our neighborhoods to receive the investments, attention and resources they deserve. Most importantly, I will continue listening to you. The concerns you share through my district office, community meetings, civic gatherings and public events help shape my priorities. Your voice informs the legislation I introduce, the questions I raise with government agencies and the partnerships my office develops. There is still important work ahead, but I am confident in what we can accomplish when residents, community organizations and government partners work together. I look forward to continuing that work with you.

Thank You To Our Program Participants