Wednesday, February 12, 2025
As we embark on the 2025 legislative session, the challenges facing New York have never been more evident. Across the state, families are grappling with the rising cost of living, businesses are struggling under the weight of strict regulations, and public safety concerns remain at the forefront of many New Yorkers’ minds. Additionally, illegal immigration continues to place a significant fiscal burden on our communities, straining resources and compounding these challenges. In this pivotal moment, it is imperative that we seize the opportunity to chart a course toward meaningful reform and lasting prosperity.
Recently, Gov. Kathy Hochul outlined her agenda in her State of the State address, as well as in her proposed $252 billion budget.
While I commend her for acknowledging issues like affordable child care, youth mental health and free school meals — issues I have helped champion since taking office — I remain concerned about the increased level of spending and the direction of the governor’s proposals. They must be more than talking points; they require strategic investments and implementation to yield tangible results for our communities.
For example, addressing youth mental health is an area in which bipartisan consensus is possible. I have introduced legislation to provide funding for schools to hire mental health service professionals, which would ensure that students could more easily access these services, thereby increasing the likelihood that they would seek help when they need it. Likewise, making sure that children receive free school meals isn’t just a moral imperative, but a practical one, because hunger directly impacts educational outcomes. I will work to ensure that these vital initiatives are not overlooked in the upcoming budget negotiations.
Hochul’s agenda is more notable for what it omits. It has been nearly a decade since the Senate Republican conference passed the 2016 middle class tax cuts, which provided much-needed relief to millions of New Yorkers, and I commend the governor for proposing to build on those tax cuts. But while cutting taxes and sending out refund checks is great, those efforts are negated when other proposals increase people’s expenses.
Congestion pricing, in particular, remains a glaring example of misplaced priorities. It unfairly targets hardworking New Yorkers like first responders and teachers who rely on their vehicles to commute to work and contribute to our economy. While Hochul may frame short-term delays or reductions in toll rates as “savings,” they do nothing to mitigate the long-term financial burden this policy will impose. Instead of imposing new taxes on struggling families, we should focus on cutting costs and empowering local communities to make decisions about their own futures.
New Yorkers have endured enough of the chaos caused by cashless bail laws that handcuff judges and empower criminals. Blaming the judiciary for the consequences of these policies only serves as a distraction from Albany’s failures. True reform starts with restoring judicial discretion and allowing judges to consider the danger posed by defendants when setting bail, which my bill, S.236, would accomplish.
Short-term solutions, like increased police presence on subways, may offer some temporary relief, but fail to address the long-term issues of public safety to prevent crimes from occurring. We need to prioritize lasting reforms that protect families, neighborhoods and commuters across the state.
One of the most pressing challenges New York faces is the ongoing influx of illegal migrants and the significant fiscal burden it puts on the state. With taxpayer dollars stretched thin, the financial strain of providing housing, health care and education to migrants diverts critical resources away from hardworking New Yorkers, the ones who are covering these additional costs.
Local communities, particularly here on Long Island, are bearing the brunt of this crisis, as their municipal budgets are overwhelmed and their essential services are jeopardized. Schools, for example, are facing increased costs to meet higher demand for English as a New Language services. Albany must prioritize the needs of its residents by addressing these issues head-on and advocating for federal accountability to secure our borders and reduce the financial impact on our state.
As a member of the State Senate, my mission is clear: to fight for policies that make life more affordable, ensure public safety, and foster economic growth for Long Island and all of New York. I will continue to advocate for initiatives that prioritize the well-being of our residents, hold Albany accountable, and work toward a stronger, more prosperous future for our state.
Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick represents the 9th State Senate District.
