New York State Assembly

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today with Assemblymember Anna Kelles to participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony at The Learning Farm and to visit the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC). “This ribbon cutting marks an exciting...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced he intends to renominate Dolly Caraballo to the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government. Caraballo has served as a commissioner since 2022. She is a managing member of the law firm Caraballo & Mandell, LLC....

Over the last two years, the Assembly Majority has secured $1.2 million in state funding towards a pilot-program which provides seniors a no-cost AI-powered speaker to help with medication management and critical emergency response. Over 500 seniors have...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour this week with Assemblymember Pam Hunter for Senior Bingo Night at the PEACE Inc. Eastside Family Resource Center to discuss ongoing efforts to alleviate poverty and improve quality of life for...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today with Assemblywoman Sarah Clark to tour the Pinegrove building, a former elementary school in the West Irondequoit Central School District (WICSD), where a proposed $6 million project would...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today with Assemblymember Donna Lupardo at the United Way of Broome County. They visited the 2-1-1 Susquehanna River Region Community Resource Center, a 2-1-1 service that provides vital resource...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today with Assemblymember Phil Steck at the Town of Colonie Public Safety Center to announce $650,000 in funding to activate the Colonie Emergency Medical Services’ (EMS) “Safe Streets For All”...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today with Assemblymember Jen Lunsford at the Pittsford Volunteer Ambulance in Monroe County, announcing $180,000 in funding to support the non-profit’s ability to purchase and equip a new ambulance....

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today with Assemblymember Nader Sayegh to announce $1 million for the Yonkers Police Athletic League (PAL) Facility, a non-profit organization that provides youth with recreational, educational,...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today in Amherst with Assemblymember Karen McMahon where they announced $1.5 million for the Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village. They also visited the North Amherst Fire Company to discuss future...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today with Assemblymember William Conrad to visit Paddock Park’s new splashpad in the Town of Tonawanda and Memorial Pool in North Tonawanda to discuss efforts to create a new pool for the community....

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Cheektowaga with Assemblymember Monica P. Wallace, announcing a total of $2 million for the Harlem Road Pump Station and visiting Cheektowaga Town Park. “My annual statewide tour gives...

Speaker Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today in Buffalo, joining Assemblymember Jonathan D. Rivera to tour the Boys & Girls Club of Buffalo’s John F. Beecher Clubhouse and announce $1 million for improvements to the building and the park....

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today with Assemblymember Patrick Burke in South Buffalo, touring the neighborhood and announcing $500,000 for Cazenovia Park. “I want to thank Assemblymember Burke for inviting me along today...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today, joining Assemblymember Christopher Eachus to visit the Storm King Art Center, a 500-acre outdoor museum in Orange County where visitors can experience large-scale sculptures. “Storm King...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today in Oneida County, joining Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon to see the damage caused by the recent tornado that hit Rome and to announce $2 million for the city’s continued recovery efforts....

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today with Assemblymember Didi Barrett at the Eddie Collins Memorial Park to visit the recent additions and planned site of the park’s new pool facilities. “A new pool is another step in our...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today with Assemblymember William B. Magnarelli at Syracuse University to announce $3 million grant to upgrade the seating in the dome, including making it ADA compliant. “The JMA Wireless Dome...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today in Queens with Assemblymember Sam Berger, visiting the New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) Pomonok Houses and announcing $2.53 million for the creation of a new park in the community....

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today with Assemblymember Steve Stern at the Huntington Senior Center for a cake and coffee social with local senior residents, and announced $1 million in funding to replace the center’s glass...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today with Assemblymember Gina Sillitti at the Henry Viscardi School, a 4201 school that has provided an equitable learning environment for children with severe physical disabilities from pre-K...

I was heartbroken to learn of the passing of former Assembly Majority Leader James Tallon today. James deeply understood that healthcare needed to be accessible and affordable, and spent his years in public office fighting to ensure care for our most...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today, joining Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato at Ocean Park Apartments in Far Rockaway to visit a free swim class offered by Rising Tide Effect. Earlier this year the Assembly secured $25,000...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today in Schenectady, joining Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara to tour the future site of Crossroads Center for Children and announce $1.2 million to help complete construction. Once completed,...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today, joining Assemblymember Billy Jones at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid to tour the USA Rink, Herb Brooks Arena, Mount Van Hoevenberg and the Olympic Museum. They also discussed future plans...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today, joining Assemblymember Al Stirpe at the Joseph F. William Memorial Park to visit the park’s new splash pad and announce $3 million in capital funding for the construction of a swimming...

Speaker Carl Heastie today made a stop on his annual statewide tour in Saratoga County, joining Assemblymember Carrie Woerner in visiting a Head Start classroom in Jefferson Terrace, participating in story time and announcing $3 million in funding for...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assembly Science and Technology Committee Chair Steve Otis today announced the passage of the Legislative Oversight of Automated Decision-making in Government (LOADinG) Act to provide assessment, transparency and oversight of...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Donna Lupardo today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to allow New York craft producers of liquor, cider, mead and braggot to ship their products directly to inter- and intrastate customers (A.3132-A,...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Jeffrion Aubry today announced the Assembly passed legislation to remove the lifetime ban on jury duty for those convicted of a felony (A1432, Aubry). “The Assembly Majority remains committed to building a justice...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Nily Rozic today announced the Assembly has passed Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act and the New York Child Data Protection Act to help protect kids from addictive social media feeds and digital...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Committee on Aging Chair Ron Kim today announced the Assembly has passed legislation to enhance oversight of social adult day care programs for older adults by providing the director of the State Office for the Aging (SOFA) with...

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that he is immediately implementing sanctions recommended by the bipartisan Ethics and Guidance Committee concerning the conduct of Assemblymember Scott Bendett. After a full investigation, the Ethics Committee...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Insurance Committee Chair David Weprin today announced the passage of several bills designed to help homeowners prepare for severe weather events and expand insurance coverage to better support recovery efforts. “Unfortunately,...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Demond Meeks today visited Baden Street Settlement and announced the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget includes $8.1 million in funding for the facility, which will enable them to enhance services to...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Committee on People with Disabilities Chair Rebecca A. Seawright today announced the passage of legislation in honor of Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day to improve the lives of people with disabilities across New York. “It...

Speaker Carl Heastie and members of the Haitian American Legislative Delegation today announced that the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget includes $1.6 million for community based organizations (CBOs) that support linguistically and culturally responsive...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Didi Barrett today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation requiring that the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) create a comprehensive plan to ensure electric vehicle...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman today announced the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget includes $6 million in funding for the Bedford Stuyvesant Volunteer Ambulance Corps (BSVAC) facility, a new multi-service health...

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the Simons Foundation Co-Founder Jim Simons. Jim was a brilliant mathematician and understood the important role science and math play in our future. Throughout his life he donated billions of dollars to...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Michael Benedetto today announced $51 million in funding in the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget for Co-op City, a Mitchell-Lama housing cooperative in the Bronx. “Co-op City represents the future...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto and Assemblymember Nily Rozic announced the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget invests $500,000 to review and update curriculum on the Holocaust as antisemitism continues to rise across...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Labor Committee Chair Harry Bronson and Human Services Committee Chair Maritza Davila today announced that the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget includes $55 million for the Summer Youth Employment Program, which provides...

Speaker Heastie, Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein and Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi today announced that the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget includes $350 million to ease the tax burden on families...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Committee on Children and Families Chair Andrew Hevesi and Assemblymember Donna Lupardo announced the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget invests $2.4 million in 2-1-1 to continue providing millions of New Yorkers vital...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Didi Barrett this week announced $1 million in funding in the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget to allow the Town of New Lebanon to close their landfill for a total of $2 million for the project. “It’s...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson announced today the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget makes essential changes to high school students and their families’ ability to make financial plans for further education. “Financial...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Deborah J. Glick today announced that the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget invests $2.5 billion in funding for the environment, including $400 million for the New York State...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget includes a $3,000 tax credit to help small businesses invest in retail theft prevention measures. “Small businesses are at the very core of our communities,...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Carrie Woerner today announced the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget provides a much-needed investment in local journalism by providing $30 million in tax credits each year, over three years, to support...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today announced that the Enacted $236.8 billion State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget makes critical investments in programs to uplift families and make New York a more affordable...

Speaker Heastie and Transportation Committee Chair William B. Magnarelli announced that the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 includes $1.3 billion for capital aid to localities, including funding restorations of $60 million for the Consolidated...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal today announced that the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Enacted Budget will address the housing crisis in New York State by investing in affordable housing, as well as tenant protections and...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Higher Education Committee Chair Patricia Fahy today announced the State Fiscal Year (SFY) Budget will continue the Assembly’s critical investment in the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and other opportunity programs to provide...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto today announced the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget will provide $35.9 billion in funding to the General Support for Public Schools (GSPS), which will include $24.9 billion...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Mental Health Committee Chair Aileen M. Gunther today announced that the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Enacted Budget funds critical programs that help individuals involved in the criminal justice system and diagnosed with a...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Health Committee Chair Amy Paulin today announced the enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget makes critical investments in health care services including $800 million in funding for financially distressed and safety-net...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember David Weprin today announced the passage of legislation that would require auto insurers provide supplemental spousal liability insurance to insured drivers that have a spouse. Supplemental spousal liability insurance...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Ken Zebrowski today announced that the Assembly passed a resolution rescinding all previous applications made by the New York State Legislature to call for a constitutional convention (K.797, Zebrowski). “We cannot...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Health Committee Chair Amy Paulin today announced that the Assembly’s proposed State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget adds $3.1 billion in funding to the Medicaid program and $1.1 billion in investments in public health. “Access...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Higher Education Committee Chair Patricia Fahy today announced the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Proposed Budget makes investments to ensure higher education is accessible for all New York students by funding the...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto and Libraries and Educational Technology Chair Angelo Santabarbara today announced the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Proposed Budget provides $36.4 billion in funding to...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today announced that the Assembly will pass the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget proposal. The $245.8 billion spending plan makes critical investments in making...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Anna Kelles today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would prohibit the use of carbon dioxide to extract natural gas and oil resources, a process often referred to as “fracking” (A8866, Kelles)....

Speaker Carl Heastie announced today that the Assembly passed a package of legislation this week to strengthen consumer protections against rechargeable lithium-ion batteries found in many popular electric vehicles and devices. This set of bills comes...

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senate and Assembly Education Committee Chairs Shelley B. Mayer and Michael Benedetto, and Assembly Higher Education Committee Chair Patricia Fahy today announced the Legislature’s...

New York State Assembly Passes Rape is Rape Act, Clearing the Way for Governor Hochul's Signature Albany, NY - January 29, 2024 - The New York State Assembly passed a key chapter amendment to the Rape is Rape Act today, establishing an updated effective...

Today my colleagues and I in the Assembly Majority passed a resolution commemorating Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 79th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. It’s a solemn day, where we remember the horrors committed by the Nazis against...

Speaker Carl Heastie announced today that the Assembly will begin passing a package of legislation to strengthen reproductive health services and tackle the maternal and infant mortality rise across the state. This package joins a series of legislation...

Speaker Heastie today announced the following leadership appointments: Chair, Labor Harry B. Bronson Chair, Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry Al Stirpe Chair, Small Business Carrie Woerner Chair, Libraries...

January 3, 2024Assembly Chamber_____________________________________[as prepared for delivery] Good morning members, staff and guests. Welcome back to the New York State Assembly Chamber. I’d like to start by wishing everyone a happy and healthy new...

No one who works full time should be living in poverty or struggling to put food on the table for their families. This past year in the budget, we fought to give New Yorkers a raise- increasing the minimum wage and ensuring that they won’t be left behind...

The New York State Legislature today released the 2024 legislative calendar. The calendar can be found here and attached.

New York City is a richly diverse area and it’s important we can celebrate and respect that diversity and the faiths of our people. By making Diwali a holiday for our New York City Public Schools, a new generation of children and their teachers have...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today, joining Assemblymember Fred Thiele to visit the Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreation Center, announcing $250,000 in funding for the center’s outreach efforts and another $1.75 million...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today, joining Assemblymember Didi Barrett to announce $3 million in funding to support the construction of affordable housing across Dutchess and Columbia counties.  “The Assembly Majority remains...

Speaker Heastie today continued his statewide tour, joining Assemblymember Billy Jones at the Malone Memorial Recreational Park to announce a new indoor sports facility and $3 million in combined funding from the Assembly Majority to help get the project...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today with Assemblymember Dana Levenberg in Peekskill, located in the 95th Assembly District. Together, they took a walking tour, making stops at the Field Library, Iron Vine, Blondery, the Peekskill...

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that he is immediately implementing sanctions recommended by the bipartisan Assembly Ethics and Guidance Committee concerning the conduct of Assemblymember Danny O’Donnell. After a full investigation, the...

New York State is beautifully diverse, with people from different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds living, working and raising families together. Making Lunar New Year a holiday for our public schools will give thousands of Asian students in...

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Monticello, where he and Assemblymember Aileen Gunther visited the Ted Stroebele Recreation Center and announced $2 million in state funds for improvements to the facility. “Our community...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today with Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky where they visited the Tarrytown Riverfront in Tarrytown, the “Yesterday” sculpture in Irvington and the Dobbs Ferry Waterfront in Dobbs Ferry. During...

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Fairport with Assemblymember Jen Lunsford, where they visited the Humane Society of Greater Rochester’s Lollypop Farm and announced $2.5 million in state funding to continue the expansion...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today in Utica with Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon, where they visited the Safe Schools Mohawk Valley’s youth leadership program and announced $3 million in funding for the school, first...

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Cicero, where he and Assemblymember Al Stirpe announced $2.5 million in state funds for AccessCNY to expand its outreach services by creating a specialized ‘step-down’ care unit for...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today, joining Assemblymember Donna Lupardo at the State University of New York (SUNY) Broome Community College Food Sciences & Brew Lab and the Commercial Kitchen at Cornell Cooperative Extension...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today, joining Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara in Rotterdam to see the future site of the Capital Region Aquatic Center, announcing that $2.5 million in capital funding will be going to the aquatic...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today, stopping in Latham with Assemblymember Phil Steck for a tour of the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and announced $500,000 in capital funding. This funding will be used for general...

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Glens Falls with Assemblymember Carrie Woerner, where they visited the Glens Falls Senior Center and announced $500,000 in capital funding for the senior center to update their basement...

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Erie County, joining Assemblymember Monica Wallace to announce $100,000 to make bathrooms at Griffith Park compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and $60,000 for Sloan Active...

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his tour in Western New York with Assemblymember Karen McMahon at the Amherst Police Department Community Policing & Training Facility, where they announced $750,000 in funding for improvements to the Amherst Police...

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Western New York, where he joined Assemblymember William Conrad, visiting Camp Spirit in North Tonawanda. There, they announced $1 million including $500,000 to support the organization’s...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today, joining Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson to visit an urban farm providing free or low-cost produce to city residents and the historic Downing Park, where a new project is underway. “I can’t...

Speaker Carl Heastie made another stop on his annual statewide tour today, visiting Columbia County with Assemblymember Didi Barrett to discuss solutions to solving the affordable housing crisis plaguing rural communities.  “I want to thank Assemblymember...

Speaker Carl Heastie made another stop on his annual statewide tour today, visiting the Bayswater Point State Park and Jamaica Bay in Far Rockaway, Queens with Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato to see the park’s preservation and restoration projects....

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his statewide tour today, joining Assemblymember Nader Sayegh in the Armour Villa neighborhood to see the impacts suburban construction and climate change are having on the severe flooding in the community. “For Armour...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that he has appointed Philip Fields to serve as secretary to the Ways and Means Committee and has appointed Matthew Golden to serve as director of Budget Studies. “Philip and Matthew are integral members of a strong,...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his statewide tour today, joining Assemblymember Gina Sillitti for a boat tour of Manhasset Bay on Long Island to see the effects that climate change are having on the bay and surrounding communities. “Manhasset Bay and...

Last Tuesday, following the weekend’s storms and flooding, Assemblymember Chris Eachus invited me to Highland Falls to see firsthand the damage done to the region’s infrastructure, homes and local businesses. Over the course of the day, we had the...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour this week with Assemblymember Kimberly Jean-Pierre in Amityville, where they visited the Bolden Mack Basketball League. “Every year on my tour, I get the opportunity to see the great work being...

Speaker Carl Heastie today met with Assemblymember Christopher Eachus in Highland Falls to see firsthand the damage done by the weekend’s devastating storms and flooding, and to discuss the region’s recovery efforts. “This flooding will have long-term...

Speaker Carl Heastie began his annual statewide tour today on Long Island, joining Assemblymember Steve Stern at the Huntington Highway Department to discuss the continued efforts to fund infrastructure in communities across the state. “The more we...

I am saddened to hear of the death of Richard Ravitch. His passing is a tremendous loss for our state. Richard’s long and storied career was wide-reaching – leaving his mark on state and federal policy, the MTA, and even Major League Baseball. He...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Labor Committee Chair Latoya Joyner today announced that statewide legislation protecting employees from being required to sign a non-compete agreement with their employer has passed both houses of the Legislature and will be...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Karines Reyes announced today that the Assembly has passed legislation to protect doctors, medical providers and facilitators serving patients seeking abortion and reproductive health services via telehealth (A.01709,...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Jeffrion L. Aubry today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to help those wrongfully convicted seek justice and to vacate convictions of those who were convicted under statutes that were later decriminalized...

I am pleased to announce that Rebecca Mudie will serve as counsel to the Majority of the New York State Assembly.Becca most recently served the Assembly as legislative counsel for Program and Policy. Prior to that, she was director of Intergovernmental...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Karines Reyes announced today the passage of a bill to protect employees by prohibiting employers from coercing them into attending or participating in meetings sponsored by the employer’s political or religious...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar, and Asian Pacific American Task Force Co-Chairs Grace Lee and Zohran K. Mamdani announced today the passage of legislation declaring Diwali as a school holiday in New York City public schools requiring...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Assemblymember William Colton, Asian Pacific American Task Force Co-Chairs Grace Lee and Zohran K. Mamdani, and Asian Pacific American Task Force co-creator Ron Kim announced today the passage of legislation requiring public schools...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Harry Bronson today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation that would protect parents and guardians who come to New York so their children can receive gender-affirming care, and the healthcare practitioners...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Environmental Conservation Chair Deborah J. Glick today announced the Assembly has passed an updated version of the Birds and Bees Protection Act, which restricts the use of neonicotinoid pesticides (A.7640, Glick).  “Neonicotinoids...

Speaker Carl Heastie and advocates today applauded passage of the Clean Slate Act, legislation that will establish the automatic sealing of certain conviction records after a specific period of time for individuals that have completed their sentences...

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Legislature will pass the Clean Slate Act (S.7551-A/A.1029-C), which would establish the automatic sealing of certain conviction records after a specific...

Speaker Heastie and Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus Chair Michaelle C. Solages today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to create the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies to examine the impact...

After months of deliberations both during and after the budget process, the Legislature was able to work toward an agreement on historic rent protections as well as a massive and transformational housing program, that includes: the Homeowner Protection...

It is important to recognize New York’s rich and diverse culture. Therefore, it is the intention of the Assembly to pass legislation to observe Lunar New Year and Diwali as holidays in New York State before the close of our legislative session. We will...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Committee on People with Disabilities Chair Rebecca A. Seawright today announced that the Assembly passed a package of legislation in honor of Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day to improve the lives of New Yorkers with disabilities....

Speaker Carl Heastie and Asian Pacific American Task Force Co-Chairs Grace Lee and Zohran K. Mamdani today announced that the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 Budget includes $30 million to support critical services for Asian American and Pacific...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today announced the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 Budget makes critical investments to help make New York more affordable for families. “The Assembly Majority is committed...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Energy Committee Chair Didi Barrett today announced that the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 Budget includes provisions to phase out the use of fossil fuels in new buildings and invest in new renewable energy projects...

Speaker Heastie, Transportation Committee Chair William B. Magnarelli and Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee Chair Kenneth Zebrowski today announced that the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 includes critical investments to the...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Health Committee Chair Amy Paulin today announced the enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 Budget includes $1.4 billion for distressed hospitals, Medicaid rate increases and wage increases for home health care workers. “The...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto today announced the approved State Fiscal Year (SFY) Budget will include $34 billion in General Support for Public Schools (GSPS), an increase of $3 billion, or 9.4 percent over the...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Higher Education Committee Chair Patricia Fahy today announced the approved State Fiscal Year (SFY) Budget keeps the state’s public colleges and universities affordable and accessible, ensuring that tuition remains flat for...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the Assembly has passed legislation to protect renters in New York who are exposed to lead-based paint. “It is no secret that lead-based paint is dangerous, especially to children,” said Speaker Heastie. “This...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the Assembly has passed legislation to safeguard communities neighboring railroads by ensuring that waste transferred by rail is properly contained (A.4928, Rajkumar). “Every New Yorker deserves to live in a safe...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Environmental Conservation Chair Deborah J. Glick today announced the Assembly has passed the Birds and Bees Protection Act to restrict the use of neonicotinoid pesticides (A.3226, Glick). “From the Climate Leadership and Community...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Harvey Epstein today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to ensure access to medication abortion to students attending public colleges and universities in New York State (A.1395-B, Epstein). “While...

Yesterday I was notified there was a shooting outside my district office. This is an ongoing investigation, and I don’t have all of the details. I was in Albany at the time of the shooting, but I am grateful for the safety of my staff and everyone else...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Amy Paulin today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would increase access to self-administered hormonal contraceptives by allowing New York State pharmacists to execute a non-patient specific order...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Jeffrion L. Aubrytoday announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to help those wrongly convicted seek justice, and to vacate convictions of those who were convicted under statutes that were later decriminalized...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today announced that the Assembly has passed the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 Budget. The $232.9 billion spending plan makes critical investments to make New York...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Deborah Glick today announced the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 Budget increases funding for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) by $35 million for a total allocation of...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Energy Committee Chair Didi Barrett today announced the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 Budget includes provisions to phase out the use of fossil fuels in new buildings and invest in programs designed to increase energy...

No one working full time should be living in poverty, which is why my colleagues and I in the Assembly Majority have consistently fought to raise the minimum wage. In this year’s state budget, we are once again committed to raising the minimum wage...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Health Committee Chair Amy Paulin today announced the Assembly’s proposed State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 spending plan would add $2.7 billion in funding to the Medicaid Program and $110 million in funding for public health....

Speaker Carl Heastie and Codes Committee Chair Jeffrey Dinowitz today announced that the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 Budget includes critical investments in legal support services for New Yorkers, in discovery in court proceedings and anti-gun...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto today announced the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 Budget would provide $34.3 billion in funding to General Support for Public Schools (GSPS), an increase of $3 billion...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Higher Education Committee Chair Patricia Fahy today announced the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 Budget ensures that higher education is affordable and accessible to all New Yorkers by making investments that prevent...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Housing Committee Chair Linda B. Rosenthal and Local Governments Committee Chair Fred W. Thiele, Jr. today announced that the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 Budget makes critical investments in fighting homelessness, ending...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Governmental Operations Committee Chair John T. McDonald III today marked the nationwide observance of Sunshine Week with the passage of a package of legislation designed to bring greater transparency, accountability and accessibility...

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senate and Assembly Education Committee Chairs Shelley B. Mayer and Michael Benedetto, and Senate and Assembly Higher Education Committee Chairs Toby Ann Stavisky and Patricia...

Today I had the opportunity to sit down with fellow legislative speakers from around the country and members of the Biden administration to discuss policy priorities facing our country and our states. The federal government has been generous helping states...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Catalina Cruz today announced the Assembly has passed legislation to redefine the state’s rape statutes to ensure that victims of nonconsensual sexual conduct are able to seek more appropriate justice. “For...

Senate Finance Committee Chair Liz Krueger and Assembly Ways and Means Committee Chair, Helene E. Weinstein today announced the joint legislative hearing schedule on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 Executive Budget Proposal. These hearings, each of which...

Today, we passed the Equality Amendment for the second time, which, if approved by the people, would enshrine in our constitution expanded protections for the civil rights of New Yorkers and ensure that no one is denied the opportunity to fully participate...

Opening the 246th Legislative SessionJanuary 9, 2022Assembly Chamber_____________________________________[as delivered] Good afternoon members, staff and guests. Welcome back to the People’s House. I want to begin by wishing everyone a happy and healthy...

I would like to thank Chairman Charles D. Lavine and the members of the Assembly Judiciary Committee for their extraordinarily thorough work in reviewing the matter of Lester Chang’s residency in Brooklyn. The members of the Assembly Majority take the...

Speaker Carl E. Heastie Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes Chair, Ways and Means Helene E. Weinstein Deputy Speaker Phil Ramos Assistant Speaker Vivian E. Cook Speaker Pro Tempore Jeffrion L. Aubry Chair,...

The Assembly Majority believes that no one working a full-time job should have to live in poverty. New Yorkers deserve to earn a livable wage for the hard work they do day in and day out. In 2016, we passed legislation to gradually raise the minimum...

The Respect for Marriage Act is a historic measure that codifies protections for the marriage of LGBTQ+ and interracial couples across our country. Earlier this year, we saw the U.S. Supreme Court not just refuse to protect the rights of Americans, but...

I am honored to once again be nominated by my Assembly Majority colleagues to serve as speaker. It is a privilege and truly humbling to have our caucus place their trust in me to lead the People’s House for the next two years. In my time as speaker,...

The New York State Legislature today released the 2023 legislative calendar. The calendar can be found here

Credible and serious questions have been raised regarding the status of Assemblymember-elect Lester Chang’s eligibility to assume office given the residency requirements for service in the New York State Assembly as established in Article III, §7 of...

Congratulations to my friend and former colleague Hakeem Jeffries. A Brooklynite and fellow graduate of New York City Public Schools, Hakeem is an extraordinary leader, a consensus builder and the ultimate team player. Representative Jeffries will also...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that he intends to nominate attorney Dolly Caraballo to the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government. Caraballo is a managing member of the law firm Caraballo & Mandell, LLC. She is a civil litigator who has...

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie today announced senior staff appointments. "I am pleased to announce the appointment of new staff members to my leadership team," said Heastie. "As we head into a new session, it is critical that we continue to provide high...

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Sullivan and Orange Counties, joining Assemblymember Aileen Gunther to announce $1 million for public safety in Middletown and Wallkill, and $700,000 for Sullivan County Community College’s...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the creation of a Great Lakes Watershed Task Force to be chaired by Assemblyman Patrick Burke. The task force will examine economic development and environmental issues unique to communities in the Great Lakes watershed....

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today, joining Assemblymember Didi Barrett at Columbia-Greene Community College (CGCC) to announce a $1 million investment to expand their Construction Technology Center. “The Assembly Majority...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today, joining Assemblymember Billy Jones at the site of the future upgraded YMCA facility in Plattsburgh to announce a $1.3 million investment in the project. “The YMCA is a critical resource...

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide, joining Assemblymember Donna Lupardo in Binghamton to announce a $1.3 million investment that would enable Broome-Tioga BOCES to develop a trades complex for training heavy equipment operators,...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his statewide tour today with Assemblymember Carrie Woerner at Mechanicville Elementary School to join kids from Mechanicville Area Community Services Center (MACSC) for ice cream and to announce a $1 million investment...

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Rotterdam, joining Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara to announce $1.1 million in state funding for Rotterdam Emergency Medical Services, Inc. (REMS) and to announce REMS Executive Director...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today, joining Assemblymember Phil Steck at Colonie Senior Service Center to announce a $2 million investment that will support the King Thiel II affordable senior housing facility. “This tour...

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour by joining Assemblymember Patrick Burke in West Seneca to announce a $1 million investment in school safety for West Seneca and Orchard Park Schools. “Today’s stop on my annual statewide...

Speaker Carl Heastie today, on his annual statewide tour, joined Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera to announce $1.5 million in funding for the Hispanic Heritage Cultural Institute of Western New York, as well as $2 million for the Belle Center to allow them...

Speaker Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour, joining Assemblymember Monica Wallace to announce an Assembly investment of $50,000 for a feasibility study to connect existing bike trails between Lancaster and Cheektowaga, along with an additional...

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his statewide tour by joining Assemblymember Bill Conrad in the Town of Tonawanda to announce a $1 million investment for a new splash park at the Brighton Recreation Complex. “This year’s statewide tour has allowed...

Speaker Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Erie County, and together with Assemblymember Karen McMahon, announced $1 million in state funding to build an inclusive playground in Amherst Central Park.  “Every child should have a place...

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his statewide tour, joining Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon to announce $1 million for renovations and expansions for The House of the Good Shepherd, which provides treatment, education and support services to...

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Cicero, where he and Assemblymember Al Stirpe announced $1 million in state funds for AccessCNY to build a new center, which will help address the needs of children and young adults with...

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Monroe County, joining Assemblymember Jen Lunsford to announce $1 million in state funding for the construction of a skatepark in Perinton Park. “Every year my tour allows me to visit...

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour, joining Assemblymember Steve Stern at the Dolan Family Health Center in Huntington Station, Long Island to announce a $1 million investment in a new state-of-the-art health center that will...

In response to Mayor Adam’s request for a special session, we don't think it is necessary. The three types of crimes referenced by the mayor are bail eligible and detention can be sought in family court under current law.

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the public comment period is open on his intended nominees to the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government. Public comments on the nominations can be submitted here. The public has seven days to comment...

Speaker Heastie today continued his statewide tour, joining Assemblymember Judy Griffin at the Rockville Centre Recreation Center to announce $550,000 to complete Mr. B’s Inclusive playground and make needed infrastructure improvements to the surrounding...

Speaker Heastie continued his statewide tour today on Long Island with Assemblymember Steve Englebright. The two toured the Stony Brook University Cancer Center (SBCC), which was awarded a $1 million state grant, and met with members of the Gordon Heights...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that he has appointed Assemblymembers Fred W. Thiele, Jr., Stacey Pheffer Amato and Judy Griffin to serve on the Legislative Commission on the Future of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). Assemblymember Theile...

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today with Assemblymember Kimberly Jean-Pierre in the hamlet of Wyandanch on Long Island. Together they visited the future site of the Wyandanch YMCA and announced the Assembly’s $1 million investment...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that he intends to nominate Robert E. Torres and Leonard B. Austin to the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government. “Mr. Torres and Mr. Austin are experienced jurists that will make them assets on the Commission...

Speaker Carl Heastie kicked off his annual statewide tour today in Nassau County with Assemblymember Gina Sillitti. Together they visited property owned by the Manhasset-Lakeville Water and Fire District, where Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember Sillitti...

The Supreme Court has failed women and it has failed to protect the rights of Americans. But New York will not. Passing the Equality Amendment is the first step to ensuring that protections for women’s reproductive health care and equal rights for all...

Today, the Assembly Majority passed legislation to assure New Yorkers that despite the dangerous and disturbing decision by the Supreme Court to dismantle our more than 100-year-old sensible concealed carry law, we will not accept tragedies like the racist...

This is a horrifying step backwards for our country, and an attack on women, their bodily autonomy and their ability to make potentially lifesaving health care decisions. For years when the Assembly Majority fought to pass the Reproductive Health Act,...

Today’s Supreme Court decision is a devastating blow to Americans across the country who are tired of living in constant fear of gun violence. Like every constitutional right, the right to keep and bear arms is not absolute. This Supreme Court appears...

The Assembly Majority has long championed environmental issues to ensure a cleaner future for our residents. This session alone we took the lead on passing a new Environmental Quality Bond Act, enacting a landmark first-in-the-nation crypto mining moratorium...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Al Stirpe today announced the Assembly has passed the Green CHIPS bill, which would incentivize semiconductor manufacturers to build new factories in New York State by making them eligible for the Excelsior Jobs...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Kenneth P. Zebrowski today announced that the Assembly has passed Alyssa’s Law, which would require school districts to consider installing panic alarm systems (A.10018, Zebrowski). “Schools should be a safe...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages today announced that the Assembly has passed the New York Collegiate Athletic Participation Compensation Act, legislation that will ensure that student-athletes can receive compensation for...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Judiciary Committee Chair Charles D. Lavine today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to increase the number of supreme court judges and family court judges (A.10505, Lavine). “The Assembly Majority is committed...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Patricia Fahy today announced that the Assembly has passed the Digital Fair Repair Act, which would give consumers and independent repair shops the ability to repair their cell phones, computers and other personal...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto today announced the Assembly has passed legislation to extend mayoral control of the New York City School District and provide greater parental participation and accountability in relation...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Assembly has passed a package of legislation to protect reproductive health care providers from interstate investigations for care that was performed lawfully in New York, and to ensure that New York remains...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Assembly has passed a package of legislation to strengthen New York State’s gun laws, and help keep New Yorkers safe in their schools, places of worship and in their communities. “The horrific mass shootings...

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Election Law Committee Chair Latrice Walker today announced that the Assembly has passed the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York to codify and strengthen the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 into state law (A.6678-E,...

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senate and Assembly Education Committee Chairs Shelley Mayer and Michael Benedetto, and Senate and Assembly Higher Education Committee Chairs Toby Ann Stavisky and Deborah...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Patricia Fahy today announced that the Assembly has passed the Advanced Building Codes, Appliance and Equipment Efficiency Standards Act of 2022, legislation to increase the state’s appliance efficiency standards,...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried today announced the Assembly has passed the New York State Living Donor Support Act to encourage living organ donation through financial support and educational initiatives (A.146-A,...

I am absolutely devastated to learn that another mass shooting has occurred in this country. We have been here too many times before. Less than a week ago, we gathered to memorialize the people shot at a grocery store in Buffalo. Our nation is yet again...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal today announced the Assembly passed the Adult Survivors Act to ensure that adult survivors of sexual assault who were previously time barred from civil action are able seek justice in court (A.648-A,...

Tomorrow, my Assembly Majority colleagues and I will have the pleasure of welcoming my friend and counterpart from Illinois, Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch, to the People’s House in Albany. Speaker Welch will also be joined by Illinois House Representatives...

Speaker Carl Heastie and People with Disabilities Committee Chair Thomas J. Abinanti today announced that the Assembly will pass a package of bills that would improve the lives of New Yorkers with disabilities, including giving them better access to services,...

Reports that the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to dismantle the rights of women and undermine nearly 50 years of precedent established by Roe v. Wade are deeply disturbing. If these reports are true, it would mark a tremendous step backward for our country...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Steve Englebright today announced that the Assembly this week passed a package of legislation in honor of Earth Day, including a resolution celebrating the 52nd Earth Day and legislation...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today announced that the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget makes critical investments in programs that will help New York families to meet the challenge of inflation...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Housing Committee Chair Steven Cymbrowitz today announced that the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget invests in affordable housing programs and keeps New Yorkers that struggled financially during the pandemic in...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto today announced the approved State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget will include $31.2 billion in funding to General Support for Public Schools (GSPS), an increase of $2.1 billion, or...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Higher Education Committee Chair Deborah J. Glick today announced the approved State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget includes funding critical for higher education programs that are accessible and affordable for New York students....

Speaker Carl Heastie; Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry Chair Harry B. Bronson; and Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development Committee Chair Daniel J. O’Donnell today announced that the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi today announced that the approved State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget makes unprecedented investments in children and families, including $7 billion over four years to expand...

My Assembly Majority colleagues and I know that our state’s economic recovery depends on the success of New York’s working families. We know that now, more than ever, New Yorkers are struggling with the rising cost of groceries, housing, higher education,...

Congratulations to Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on her historic confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court. For our country’s institutions to work, they must reflect the people they serve, all the way up to the highest court in the land. Judge Ketanji Brown...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi today announced the Assembly has passed two bills that would increase access to affordable childcare for families in New York. “Families across the state have struggled to...

2022 General Budget Conference Committee Assembly Senate Carl E. Heastie (Co-Chair) Andrea Stewart-Cousins (Co-Chair) Helene Weinstein Liz Krueger Crystal Peoples-Stokes Michael Gianaris Phil Ramos José Serrano Jeffrion...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today released the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-2023 Budget Proposal of $226.4 billion. The Assembly’s spending plan aims to support New York’s families as we...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Transportation Committee Chair William B. Magnarelli, and Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee Chair Amy Paulin today announced that the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget will invest $14 billion in the...

Speaker Carl Heastie; Small Business Committee Chair Al Stirpe; Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry Chair Harry B. Bronson; and Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development Committee Chair Daniel J. O’Donnell today announced that...

Legislature to convene General Budget Conference Committee meeting today at 6:00p.m.The hearingwill be conducted virtually using web-based video conferencing at https://www.nysenate.gov/events and https://www.nyassembly.gov/av/live/.2022General Budget...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Mental Health Committee Chair Aileen Gunther and Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee Chair Phil Steck today announced that the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget includes critical investments to improve access to mental...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried today announced the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget would make critical health investments that protect vulnerable individuals, including undocumented immigrants, pregnant...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Codes Committee Chair Jeffrey Dinowitz today announced that the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget includes critical funding for pretrial services that offer mental health treatment and other alternatives to incarceration,...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Steve Englebright today announced the Assembly's 2022-2023 State Fiscal Year (SFY) Budget increases funding for the Environmental Bond Act of 2022 by $2 billion to be allocated for climate...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Higher Education Committee Chair Deborah J. Glick today announced the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget makes investments to ensure higher education is accessible for all New York students by funding the State...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto today announced the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget would provide $30.9 billion in funding to General Support for Public Schools (GSPS), an increase of $2.1 billion...

Assembly Budget Makes Critical Investments in Quality, Affordable Housing Across New York StateSpending Plan Includes $1.25 billion in Rental Relief for those Financially Impacted by Pandemic Through ERAP Speaker Carl Heastie and Housing Committee Chair...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi today announced that the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget includes over $3 billion for childcare and makes critical investments in preventative services that help...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to address racial disparities in traffic stops by reducing the number of traffic stops for minor, nonmoving violations such as stickers on vehicle windows and objects placed...

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senate and Assembly Education Committee Chairs Shelley Mayer and Michael Benedetto, and Assembly Higher Education Committee Chair Deborah Glick today announced the Legislature’s...

Today, President Biden has made history by nominating Judge Kentanji Brown Jackson to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. As the first Black woman to be nominated to the Court, this historic and long overdue nomination is especially poignant during Black...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation that will authorize temporary and conditional licenses for the cultivation and processing of adult use marijuana, beginning the...

The statutory deadline for the Independent Redistricting Commission to submit congressional and state legislative maps has passed. As per the New York State Constitution, it becomes the Legislature’s responsibility to consider fair maps that ensure...

I am saddened to learn of the passing of former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. He was a fighter for his constituents and his work to rebuild lower Manhattan after the terrible events of 9/11 will never be forgotten. I will remember Shelly for his many...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Election Law Committee Chair Latrice Walker and Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would allow New Yorkers to vote by absentee ballot if there is a risk of contracting or spreading...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Catalina Cruz today announced the Assembly has passed legislation to redefine the state’s rape statutes to ensure that victims of nonconsensual sexual conduct are able to seek more appropriate justice. “For...

Senate Finance Committee Chair Liz Krueger and Assembly Ways and Means Committee Chair, Helene E. Weinstein today announced the Joint Legislative Hearing Schedule on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 Executive Budget Proposal. These hearings, each of which...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that Assemblymember Kenneth Zebrowski has been appointed to be the temporary co-chair of the Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment (LATFOR). “The results of reapportionment will determine...

I am proud that Governor Hochul returned the State of the State address to the People’s House. It has been two years since New York became the epicenter of this global health crisis, and – evidenced by my own positive COVID-19 test – we are not...

As part of the governor’s safety protocols prior to today’s State of the State message, I underwent two rapid COVID-19 tests which did not come back clear. I am now awaiting results from a follow up PCR test. I get tested routinely, and most recently...

The Assembly Majority believes that putting families first means that every hardworking New Yorker is able to earn a meaningful wage to achieve financial independence and support their families. That is why in 2016, we fought tirelessly to enact legislation...

The New York State Assembly Judiciary Committee today released a report completed by lawyers from Davis Polk & Wardwell, LLP concerning allegations against former Governor Andrew Cuomo. In March 2021, the Judiciary Committee was charged by Speaker Carl...

On November 17th, Senate Democratic Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie formally requested an additional $996 million from the Federal Reserve for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). These funds would help...

Two months after the devastating September 11th terrorist attacks, another tragedy took the lives of 260 people on board American Airlines Flight 587 bound for the Dominican Republic, including five people on the ground in Belle Harbor, Queens. For New...

Congratulations to my friend and colleague, Assemblymember N. Nick Perry, on his nomination to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Jamaica. In his nearly three decades in the New York State Assembly, he has been a voice for his constituents...

Today we join the country in mourning the loss of General Colin Powell, a great man and an extraordinary leader. Born in Harlem and raised in the Bronx by Jamaican parents, General Powell helped blaze a trail for men and women of color at the highest...

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Nassau County with Assemblymember Gina Sillitti. Together they visited the Plandome Road business district to talk about the Manhasset sewer project, and toured damage homeowners in Manorhaven...

Speaker Carl Heastie today traveled to Westchester to continue his statewide tour with Assemblymember Chris Burdick. During the visit, the pair made stops at a local playground, a community center and an immigrant resource center. “Every community...

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour with stops at Special Touch Bakery and the Lexington Avenue Community Garden in Rochester with Assemblymember Sarah Clark, and the White Pine Commerce Park and the North Syracuse Early Education...

Speaker Heastie today continued his statewide tour with Assemblymembers William Conrad and Jon Rivera in Buffalo. The trip included a tour of Fowler’s Chocolates Factory Headquarters, tire manufacturer Sumitomo Rubber USA and a stop at the Hispanic...

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Western New York with Assemblymembers Jennifer Lunsford and Demond Meeks, taking a walking tour of the village of Fairport and touring Heritage Christian Services in Penfield and East High...

Twenty years ago, our nation experienced one of the most devastating attacks in U.S. history that took the lives of nearly 3,000 people. For New Yorkers, the events that unfolded that day shook us to our core and overwhelmed us with a shared sense of...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that he has appointed Adam W. Perry to serve on the Cannabis Control Board. “As we create the mechanisms and regulations around the new legal cannabis industry, it is critical that we have people involved that are...

I was informed today that Assemblymembers Charles Fall and Inez Dickens have tested positive for COVID-19. Both have been vaccinated and are currently quarantining. We are now in the process of reaching out to other members and staff that they may have...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the following leadership appointments:  Chair, Majority Steering Rebecca A. Seawright Chair, Banks Patricia Fahy Chair, Task Force on Women's Issues          Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn “I...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Codes Committee Chair Jeffrey Dinowitz and Housing Committee Chair Steven Cymbrowitz today announced that the Assembly will pass critical legislation that will extend the residential and commercial eviction and foreclosure moratoriums...

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour on Long Island with Assemblymember Steve Stern, touring Huntington Station and then visiting Farmingdale State College, where they met with Farmingdale State College President John Nader and...

Today, we have sworn in the first woman to serve as governor of New York. From State Senate majority leader to state attorney general to vice president of the United States, we continue to see women rise through the ranks of government, and it is a welcome...

Speaker Heastie today began his annual statewide tour, joining Assemblymember Anna Kelles in touring Main Street in Cortland and meeting with the REACH Project, Inc Medical Director Dr. Justine Waldman, as well as touring the Learning Farm in Ithaca....

The Assembly Judiciary Committee will continue to review evidence and issue a final report on its investigation of Governor Cuomo. In doing so, the committee will take all appropriate steps to ensure that this effort does not interfere with various ongoing...

After consulting with Chair Lavine and my majority colleagues, the Assembly will suspend its impeachment investigation upon the governor’s resignation taking effect on August 25. There are two reasons for this decision. First, the purpose of the Assembly...

This has been a tragic chapter in our state's history. Governor Cuomo's resignation is the right decision.The brave women who stepped forward were heard. Everyone deserves to work in a harassment free environment.I have spoken with Lieutenant Governor...

August 9, 2021Legislative Office BuildingAlbany___________________________________[as prepared] Good afternoon.On March 1st, the attorney general was authorized to undertake an independent investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Governor...

It is with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. Richard dedicated his life to fighting for working people. His passing is a tremendous loss to my union brothers and sisters, but his legacy has undoubtedly changed...

After our conference this afternoon to discuss the Attorney General's report concerning sexual harassment allegations against Governor Cuomo, it is abundantly clear to me that the Governor has lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority and...

We have received the Attorney General's 168 page report containing findings of sexual harassment and misconduct committed by Governor Cuomo. The findings contained in the report are disturbing. The details provided by the victims are gut-wrenching. Our...

The recent spike in the COVID-19 pandemic shows that we still have more work to do in order to overcome this terrible health crisis. In order to ensure the safety of the public and our employees, and consistent with CDC and state guidance, the Assembly...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein, Housing Committee Chair Steven Cymbrowitz and Social Services Committee Chair Linda B. Rosenthal today announced the Assembly will hold a hearing on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 to...

This week, the federal government began the disbursement of monthly Child Tax Credit payments that were included in the American Rescue Plan Act passed by Congress earlier this year. Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene Weinstein...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Agriculture Committee Chair Donna Lupardo today announced the Assembly has passed the Soil Health and Climate Resiliency Act to enhance and maintain the health of soil on farms to improve productivity for farmers, protect natural...

In its never ending quest to degrade public discourse, the New York Post's editorial board today reached a new low, if that is even possible. Using racist dog whistle language to make an inaccurate point about an issue which I am not even involved with...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Small Business Committee Chair Al Stirpe and Assemblymember Erik Dilan today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to help small businesses across New York by ensuring that grants from the COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried today announced the Assembly has passed legislation to decriminalize the possession and sale of hypodermic needles and syringes to reduce the spread of blood borne diseases, most notably...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation that would create the state Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate to represent residential utility consumers’ interests in residential and utility matters at the state and...

Addressing climate change continues to be a top priority for the Assembly Majority. The adoption of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) in 2019 was an important first step in establishing climate and equity requirements, but we...

The Assembly Majority has passed a number of important voting reforms to strengthen our electoral system and provide easier access to all New Yorkers. The situation regarding the tabulation issues in New York City is extremely concerning, and we are closely...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would improve drinking water quality in schools by strengthening water testing requirements, including increasing the frequency...

The murder of George Floyd was a tragedy, one that became a rallying cry and a call to action across our country. Today, Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22 and half years in prison for his murder. I hope that today’s sentencing brings George Floyd’s...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today announced that the Assembly passed legislation that would help New York businesses by holding out of state business to the same standards as those headquartered in New York....

Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today announced the Assembly passed a comprehensive package of consumer credit protection legislation. “The Assembly Majority has long been committed to protecting the rights...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Housing Committee Chair Steven Cymbrowitz today announced the Assembly has passed a comprehensive package of legislation addressing discrimination in the real estate industry. In 1968, the federal Fair Housing Act was passed to...

During one of the toughest times in our history, the New York State Assembly rose to the occasion to meet the challenges we faced. This session we passed groundbreaking legislation and delivered a historic budget that met the needs of New Yorkers during...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Daniel J. O’Donnell today announced that the Assembly has passed the Gender Recognition Act. This bill would ensure that government documents reflect transgender, nonbinary and intersex individuals’ identities....

Speaker Carl Heastie, Election Law Committee Chair Latrice Walker and Assemblymember Robert C. Carroll today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation that will streamline the process for canvassing absentee, military, special and affidavit ballots,...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Election Law Committee Chair Latrice Walker and Assemblymember Al Taylor today announced the passage of the Make Voting Easy Act, significantly expanding early voting sites throughout the state and increasing the hours polling sites...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would ensure individuals have the support they need to reenter the community after incarceration and successfully complete their community supervision. “Successful reintegration...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Small Business Committee Chair Al Stirpe and Economic Development Committee Chair Harry Bronson announced today that New York will begin accepting grant applications for its COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program...

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to create the Firearm Violence Research Institute and the Gun Violence Research Fund, and allow taxpayers to make contributions to...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee Chair Phil Steck and Assemblymember Carrie Woerner today announced that the Assembly passed legislation to create the Opioid Settlement Fund, which will ensure that funding obtained from settlements...

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the Legislature will advance legislation to enact the Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act. This legislation will allow the state to finance the purchase...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Assembly will pass a comprehensive package of commonsense gun safety legislation. Included in the legislative package are bills that would ban ghost guns, hold the gun industry liable for damages it causes,...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Patricia Fahy today announced the passage of legislation that would allow restaurants to continue to use streets and sidewalks for outdoor dining for an additional year as they work towards recovery from the COVID-19...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Veterans' Affairs Committee Chair Didi Barrett today announced the passage of legislation that would change the beginning date of the Vietnam War from February 28, 1961 to November 1, 1955, to coincide with the date used by the...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Codes Committee Chair Jeffrey Dinowitz today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would confirm that forging proof of immunization is a felony (A.7536, Dinowitz). “It is beyond comprehension that after the horror...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Judiciary Committee Chair Charles D. Lavine and Assemblymember Phil Ramos today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation that builds on a 2017 law that prohibited marriage by young teenagers, but allowed 17 year olds to...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Daniel O’Donnell today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would facilitate additional involvement of the court and increase transparency in grand jury proceedings (A.5845, O’Donnell). “When...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Michaelle Solages today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would include making threats to report a person’s immigration status or cause deportation/removal proceedings a form of extortion or coercion...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Agriculture Committee Chair Donna Lupardo and Assemblymember Catalina Cruz today announced the Assembly has passed legislation to establish the Nourish New York program in law, which connects surplus agricultural products with food...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the continuation of the Assembly Workgroup on Sexual Harassment and announced new members to the group. The members will review issues on workplace discrimination and identify ways to ensure the safety of all employees....

George Floyd’s murder a year ago today was a personal tragedy for his family and friends who continue to grieve his loss. The protests that were held across the country and the world in the weeks and months following his death spurred action. We saw...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Karines Reyes today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would enter New York State into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) (A.1524, Reyes). The program...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Minority Leader William Barclay today announced the Assembly will commemorate May 24, 2021 as the annual Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day (K.324, Abinanti). In honor of Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day, the Assembly...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that he has appointed James Bass and Sergio Villaverde to serve on the selection committee charged with determining the location of the first state veterans’ cemetery. “The selfless men and women who serve our...

Effective immediately, and consistent with updated guidance, capacity limits in the Assembly Chamber have been eliminated. In order to ensure everyone’s safety, members, employees and visitors will continue to be required to wear face masks in all Assembly...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Election Law Committee Chair Latrice Walker today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to expand access to absentee ballot voting in New York by removing the constitutional barrier to “no excuse” absentee ballots...

It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of a true friend and community stalwart, former Assemblymember Aurelia Greene. While representing the 77th Assembly District in the Bronx for over 20 years, she dedicated her life to the betterment...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried and Assemblymember Aileen Gunther today announced that the Assembly passed lifesaving legislation which will require hospitals and nursing homes to meet staffing ratios for nurses and unlicensed...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz and and Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to extend the residential and commercial eviction and foreclosure moratoriums, and expand the number...

Today, the Assembly passed resolutions to repeal certain portions of a series of executive orders issued by the governor over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. These executive orders were issued in order to respond to the constantly evolving health...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Catalina Cruz today announced that the Assembly will pass legislation that would redefine New York’s rape statutes to ensure that survivors receive appropriate justice and that their trauma is recognized as...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Labor Committee Chair Latoya Joyner and Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar today announced the passage of legislation to expand the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights so that domestic workers are covered under Paid Family Leave and...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Election Law Committee Chair Latrice Walker today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would restore voting rights to individuals released to parole supervision to facilitate community reintegration and participation...

George Floyd’s murder was a tragedy. It was a crime that the entire world witnessed on video over the course of nine minutes and 29 seconds. That Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts is important and it is right. But I also know we must continue...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Steve Englebright today announced that the Assembly will commemorate April 22, 2021 as the 51st Anniversary of Earth Day (K.167, McMahon). In honor of Earth Day the Assembly passed...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Labor Committee Chair Latoya Joyner and Assemblymember Karines Reyes today announced that the Assembly has passed the Hero Act, which will establish health and safety standards to protect New Yorkers from airborne infectious diseases...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would exempt COVID-19 stimulus relief for individuals and families with children from seizure to satisfy money judgments...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Science & Technology Committee Chair Steve Otis today announced that the approved State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget includes the Assembly’s proposal to establish a new $15 million statewide Digital Inclusion Grant Program...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget includes critical funding for programs that support children and families, as well as invests in vital mental health, addiction and substance abuse services. “The COVID-19...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Small Business Committee Chair Al Stirpe; Economic Development Committee Chair Harry Bronson; Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development Chair Daniel O’Donnell; Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi; and Labor...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Labor Committee Chair Latoya Joyner today announced the enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget includes $2.1 billion for the Excluded Worker Fund. The fund will be administered by the Department of Labor and will provide...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the approved State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget makes investments in critical social service programs and public housing, as well as providing rent and homeowners relief programs for those impacted by the...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Higher Education Committee Chair Deborah J. Glick today announced the approved State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-2022 Budget invests in making higher education accessible for all New York students, funding the State University of New...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Agriculture Committee Chair Donna Lupardo today announced the approved State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget will include $35.78 million in funding for agricultural aid to localities and other critical agricultural programs....

Speaker Carl Heastie and Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Steve Englebright today announced that the enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget invests $1.84 billion in funding for the environment, including $300 million for the New York...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto today announced the approved State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget will include $29.1 billion in funding to General Support for Public Schools (GSPS), an increase of $3.1 billion,...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Transportation Chair William B. Magnarelli, and Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Chair Amy Paulin today announced that the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget will invest $11.2 billion in the state’s transportation...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried today announced the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget includes $542 million in restorations to the Medicaid program and $58.25 million in restorations to public health programs....

Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today announced that the approved State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget of $212 billion will put New York families first by making critical investments in communities helping...

The signing into law of the HALT Solitary Confinement Act marks a historic day for our state and for our criminal justice system, and recognizes the fundamental human rights to which we all are entitled. The evidence is clear – solitary confinement...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Diana Richardson today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would continue and expand the existing moratorium on utility termination of services to protect New Yorkers struggling financially during...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assembly Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes today announced that the Assembly will pass the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), which will legalize the adult use of marijuana in New York for individuals 21 years...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the Assembly has passed legislation to eliminate the stigma of being labeled “incorrigible” in Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) proceedings (A.5873, Reyes). “Our family court system is intended to assess...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Labor Committee Chair Latoya Joyner and Assemblymember Jennifer Lunsford today announced the Assembly has passed legislation expanding unemployment insurance eligibility to include workers who have had to leave their jobs in order...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Governmental Operations Committee Chair Kenneth Zebrowski today marked the nationwide observance of Sunshine Week with the passage of legislation to strengthen the state’s Freedom of Information Laws (FOIL) to enhance transparency...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Judiciary Committee Chair Charles D. Lavine today announced that the Assembly has retained the law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP to lead an impeachment investigation into allegations against Governor Andrew Cuomo. “Since Thursday,...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Judiciary Committee Chair Charles D. Lavine, Assemblymember Sandy Galef and Veterans' Affairs Committee Chair Didi Barrett today announced the Assembly has passed legislation expanding the availability of Veterans Treatment Courts...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Corrections Committee Chair David I. Weprin and Assemblymember Jeffrion Aubry today announced that the Assembly passed the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term (HALT) Solitary Confinement Act, which would limit the time an inmate can...

2021 General Budget Conference Committee Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie (Co-Chair) Helene Weinstein Crystal Peoples-Stokes Phil Ramos Jeffrion Aubry* William Barclay Edward Ra* Senate Andrea Stewart-Cousins (Co-Chair) Liz...

Speaker Heastie and Science & Technology Committee Chair Steven Otis today announced the Assembly's State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget includes a new statewide $15 million Digital Inclusion Grant Program to assist local efforts to bring digital...

Legislature to Convene General Budget Conference Committee meeting today at 12:30 p.m. In the interest of public health and safety, the hearings will be conducted virtually using web-based video conferencing at https://www.nysenate.gov/events and https://www.nyassembly.gov/av/live/. 2021 General...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Agriculture Committee Chair Donna Lupardo today announced the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget will include $35.41 million in funding for agricultural aid to localities and other critical agricultural programs....

Speaker Carl Heastie and Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Steve Englebright today announced the Assembly's 2021-22 State Fiscal Year (SFY) budget includes an increase of $100 million funding over the proposed executive proposal for a total...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried today announced the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget would make $376 million in restorations to the Medicaid program and $393 million in restorations to public health...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Transportation Chair William B. Magnarelli, and Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Chair Amy Paulin today announced that the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget will invest $11.3 billion in the state’s transportation...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Higher Education Committee Chair Deborah J. Glick today announced the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-2022 Budget invests in making higher education accessible for all New York students, funding the State University...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget restores critical funding for programs that support children and families, as well as invests in vital mental health, addiction and substance abuse services....

Speaker Carl Heastie, Small Business Committee Chair Al Stirpe; Economic Development Committee Chair Harry Bronson; Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development Chair Daniel O’Donnell; Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi; and Labor...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto today announced State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Assembly Budget would restore $2 billion, including $29.5 billion in funding to General Support for Public Schools (GSPS), an increase...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget makes investments in critical social service programs and public housing, as well as providing a rent relief program for those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic....

Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today announced the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget Proposal of $208.3 billion. The COVID-19 pandemic is not just a health crisis, it also resulted in an economic...

After meeting with the Assembly Majority Conference today, I am authorizing the Assembly Judiciary Committee to begin an impeachment investigation, led by Chair Charles D. Lavine, to examine allegations of misconduct against Governor Cuomo. The reports...

In light of the allegations concerning the Governor over the last several weeks, I will be meeting with members in conference today on potential paths forward.

I am so thankful to the members of our congressional delegation who have continued to fight for our state since COVID-19 first hit New York. I have said throughout the pandemic that the Assembly Majority would do everything we could to help New Yorkers...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried and Aging Committee Chair Ron Kim today announced the Assembly will continue passing a sweeping package of legislation to increase safety and improve the quality of life for New Yorkers...

The allegations pertaining to the Governor that have been reported in recent weeks have been deeply disturbing, and have no place whatsoever in government, the workplace or anywhere else. I too share the sentiment of Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins...

A year ago, as New York was being ravaged by COVID-19, we passed legislation to give the governor temporary emergency powers that would allow the state to nimbly react to a constantly evolving, deadly situation. These temporary emergency powers were always...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried and Aging Committee Chair Ron Kim today announced the Assembly has begun to pass a series of bills to increase safety and improve the quality of life for New Yorkers living in nursing...

Fact #1 The legislation immediately repeals the Governor’s expanded emergency powers and he cannot issue any new directives going forward.  Fact #2 The Governor must justify to the Legislature the extension or modification of any existing directives...

It is with great sadness that I join my colleagues and the nation in mourning the passing of civil rights icon Vernon Jordan. Mr. Jordan grew up in the Jim Crow South and channeled his experiences into action. After graduating from law school in 1960,...

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senate and Assembly Education Committee Chairs Shelley B. Mayer and Michael Benedetto, and Senate and Assembly Higher Education Committee Chairs Toby Ann Stavisky and Deborah...

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the Legislature will pass legislation repealing the temporary emergency powers that were granted to the governor last year at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic....

Instead of helping to move our state forward, Assembly Republicans are working overtime to stall efforts to help our communities by playing politics during a time when New Yorkers can least afford it. Let’s remember, these are the same do-nothing politicians...

As I previously stated, all allegations of harassment must be taken seriously. A truly independent investigation is warranted.

I have read the reports. These are serious allegations. Harassment in the workplace of any kind should not be tolerated.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that he has appointed Richard F. Braun to serve on the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE). “Mr. Braun has an impressive resume that clearly demonstrates his commitment to the legal...

There was a formal request from Assembly committee chairs and other members to the Department of Health asking for more information on follow up questions in regards to data on nursing homes. The Governor's office communicated to staff that they needed...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Assembly has created an internal working group to focus on the recovery and future of the state’s mass transit systems as they mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Every day, hardworking New...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Election Law Committee Chair Latrice Walker today announced the Assembly has passed a package of legislation that will help make conducting elections safer during the COVID-19 pandemic.  “Ensuring our elections are free and...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Steve Englebright today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation that would allow New Yorkers to vote to amend the New York State Constitution’s Bill of Rights to include...

On behalf of my Assembly Majority colleagues, I would like to congratulate Dr. Betty Rosa for being appointed commissioner of education. Dr. Rosa’s outstanding reputation as an educator and an advocate combined with her proven track record as interim...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Governmental Employees Committee Chair Peter Abbate, Jr. today announced the Assembly has passed legislation to extend the provisions granted last year that ensure families of municipal frontline workers who lost their lives to...

Speaker Carl Heastie, Governmental Employees Committee Chair Peter J. Abbate, Jr. and Assemblymember Charles D. Fall announced today that the Assembly passed legislation granting time off for public and private sector employees to receive a COVID-19...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Amy Paulin today announced that the Assembly passed legislation repealing the ‘Walking While Trans’ ban, which prohibits loitering for the purpose of prostitution (A.3355, Paulin). This law has been used to...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the appointment of an Assembly internal working group to focus on transitioning New York State’s economy toward a COVID-19 recovery. The working group will be led by Assembly Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Labor Committee Chair Latoya Joyner today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation that would provide New York construction workers with a new remedy against wage theft. “The Assembly Majority has earned its reputation...

Today my colleagues and I in the Assembly Majority passed a resolution commemorating Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 76th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Each year, this day serves as a stark reminder of what can happen when corrosive...

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Assembly will pass legislation to help hard working New Yorkers and small businesses across the state weather the storm of the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation will allow workers to collect unemployment...

Senate Finance Committee Chair Liz Krueger and Assembly Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today announced the Joint Legislative Hearing Schedule on the 2021-22 Executive Budget Proposal. These hearings, each of which focuses on a programmatic...

Today, the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris brings a sense of hope and relief that Americans have desperately needed, especially following nearly a year of immeasurable loss and suffering caused by this global pandemic....

This last year, the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing financial crisis has put an incalculable strain on New York – on our institutions, our communities and the health and wellbeing of our people. We have lost billions of dollars in revenue, and we...

I am proud of the swift action taken by the U.S. House of Representatives today to impeach President Donald J. Trump. A week ago we watched in horror as domestic terrorists incited by the president and his allies flooded the halls of the U.S. Capitol,...

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Patricia Fahy today were joined by 75 Assembly Majority colleagues in sending a letter to Congressional leadership urging swift action on articles of impeachment and removal from office of President Donald J. Trump...

January 11, 2021Assembly ChamberAlbany_____________________________________[as prepared] Good afternoon members, staff, interns and guests. No matter where you are joining us from, welcome to the People’s House. Things may look different this year than...

I would like to extend my congratulations to Dr. Lester W. Young, Jr. on his election as chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents, and applaud the Board of Regents for this excellent and groundbreaking choice. Chancellor Young, who will be the...

Congratulations to former assemblymember and Brooklyn’s own U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer on becoming majority leader of the U.S. Senate. He has spent his career fighting for all New Yorkers, from the shores of Lake Erie to the Long Island Sound....

The violent attack on the U.S. Capitol and our democratic institutions that is occurring right now in Washington is deplorable. In the United States of America, we pride ourselves on a peaceful transition of power. This is domestic terrorism and it is...

Speaker Carl E. Heastie Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes Chair, Ways and Means Helene E. Weinstein Deputy Speaker Catherine Nolan Assistant Speaker Phil Ramos Speaker Pro Tempore Jeffrion L. Aubry Chair,...

I would like to thank my Assembly colleagues for entrusting me to serve as speaker of the People’s House for the fourth time. I am truly humbled by your faith in my leadership. It will undoubtedly be a challenging year, but I am confident that the...