Tomkins Cove, NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham hosted a “Coffee and Conversation” gathering on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Tomkins Cove Public Library in the Town of Stony Point, where more than two dozen participants braved the frigid weather to ask questions and share ideas and opinions on a wide range of subjects.

“These events give people a chance to speak with us directly and ask questions about the work we’re doing, both in Albany and here in our local communities,” said Senator Harckham. “Residents are looking for answers and support, and these conversations help us better understand their needs. A big thank you to the Tomkins Cove Public Library and Library Director Kevin Mills for hosting and welcoming everyone to this event.”

The topics discussed during the “Coffee and Conversation” included an announcement that a $6.5 million repaving project of Route 9W would commence next year, ensuring more work for  the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) was moved to the night to minimize disruptions while also trying to help local businesses affected by the project, efforts to fight high utility bills, and better public transportation in Rockland County. 

Coffee and conversation attendees also raised the need for the town to develop more affordable housing so residents can afford to stay where they now live, and spoke about better code enforcement for housing and more tenant protections.

State Senator Harckham also addressed the recently enacted federal budget bill and its projected negative impact on New York. The state is expected to lose an estimated $13.5 billion annually in healthcare funding due to Medicaid cuts, potentially leaving 1.5 million New Yorkers uninsured, which would more than double the state’s current uninsured rate. The cuts are also expected to lead to hospital closures and the loss of approximately 63,000 healthcare jobs.

Harckham emphasized his ongoing efforts in state government to safeguard the health and economic stability of New Yorkers. He highlighted initiatives to boost statewide funding for water infrastructure and energy efficiency programs. During the gathering, participants discussed the expanding adoption of residential heat pumps, the protection of public employee retirement benefits, and the need for additional naloxone training to combat opioid overdoses.

Harckham also noted that there were efforts being made to increase water infrastructure funding across the state, as well as funding for energy efficiency programs. Participants at the gathering spoke about widening use of heat pumps in residences, protecting retirement benefits for public employees and providing more naloxone trainings for residents to decrease opioid overdoses.

The event opened with Harckham providing a preview of the 2026 legislative session in the State Senate, where he serves as Chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee, and some thoughts about the Executive FY2026-2027 Proposed State Budget.  He highlighted his efforts to increase school funding for the North Rockland Central School District, which has grown by $69.8 million or 108% since he took office in 2019, with an additional $1 million of school aid the senator was able to secure each of the past three years for the district to help minimize tax certiorari costs. 

Since taking office in 2019, Harckham has hosted monthly “Coffee and Conversation” events to stay connected with constituents and ensure their voices are heard.