STATEMENT: Senator Rob Rolison on End of Session Accomplishments

Senator Rob Rolison (39^th District) today released the following statement regarding the end of the upper chamber's legislative session. The state Senate is expected to return to the Capitol in January 2024.

"I am disappointed that this legislative session failed to live up to the expectations of bipartisanship held out by so many of us, instead devolving once again into a business-as-usual status quo that puts politics before people. Important priorities and commonsense problem-solving were ignored.

"The trouble began after the governor nominated Presiding Justice Hector LaSalle to the Court of Appeals. Democrats in the Senate responded by packing the committee responsible for his nomination before ignoring the state constitution to deprive him of an up-or-down vote. It was cynical, partisan, and an affront to the tens of thousands of Latinos who call the Hudson Valley home.

"Then there was the $229 billion state spending plan, passed a month late with little local input to guide its potentially costly and sweeping policies. A particularly destructive example of this top-down approach is the gas ban. More than 1,000 residents contacted us to sign my petition opposing the ban; unfortunately, the concerns of struggling middle-class homeowners and small businesses who rely on natural gas appliances were ignored in favor of Albany's insider network of special interests for a law which will affect millions of people. In addition, evidence-based reforms to increase public safety and provide judges with real discretion to consider a defendant's dangerousness when setting bail were unfortunately set aside in favor of a completely watered-down approach. Retaining the broken status quo won't make New Yorkers safer or reduce crime in our most vulnerable communities.

"The ongoing migrant crisis is another instance of partisanship crowding out common sense. The state budget gave New York City $1 billion to shelter and feed migrants bused into the state. Mayor Adams reacted to this news by planning to relocate dozens of these unvetted individuals first into Orange and then Dutchess counties, far from his sanctuary city's abundant resources. Albany continues to ignore basic questions from local Hudson Valley leaders about what our taxpayers could be obligated to pay if New York City's chaotic relocation operation continues through the summer season. Unfortunately, for all its self-serious rhetoric about 'our democracy,' Albany has ignored democratic participation on foundational policy questions affecting all New Yorkers.

"I remain proud of the legislative breakthroughs we achieved despite these hurdles. For example, Melanie's Law would provide abuse victims with the protection they deserve and finally close an unconscionable loophole in our state's criminal procedure law. We also kept the Hudson River clean and thriving by co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation which would prohibit once and for all dumping radioactive waste into the river. I am also proud that we delivered for many localities on their local legislation, keeping a promise I made to empower more residents in the communities in which they live and loosen Albany's stranglehold over their choices. Overall 15 bills I sponsored passed the Senate this year. I look forward to building on this momentum as we look ahead to additional bipartisan opportunities next year. In the meantime, I will continue to vigorously advocate for the people of our district and remain an optimistic voice for change in Albany."