Ossining, NY – First-year Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg has had a very productive first session. Eight of her prime-sponsored bills passed both houses of the State Legislature, more than any other first year member of the Assembly.¹ These bills ranged from big, high-profile efforts like the “Save the Hudson” bill (A7208) intended to protect the Hudson Valley region and its economy during the Indian Point decommissioning process, to narrowly tailored bills requested by municipalities and libraries. 

“When I first joined the Assembly, I pledged to be a productive legislator and to hit the ground running,” said Levenberg. “I am proud of what I have been able to accomplish in collaboration with my colleagues in the Assembly and Senate, as well as with advocates and concerned citizens who regularly reach out to my office.” 

In addition to her prime-sponsored legislation, Levenberg was a co- or multi-sponsor of 63 additional bills that passed both houses, including:

• environmental protection measures like the Lead Pipe Right to Know Act (A6115), expanded protections for Class C streams (A4601A), prohibitions on the use of PFAS in certain clothing items (A994), and more
• A bill requiring health insurance policies and Medicaid to cover biomarker testing (A1673A)
• Enhanced protections for workers, such as restrictions on consecutive hours of work for nurses (A970) 
• Consumer protection measures including the LLC Transparency Act (A3494A) and a new prohibition on the inclusion of medical debt on consumer reports (A6275A) 
• Public safety measures like the Clean Slate Act (A1029-C), which will partially seal the conviction records of certain formerly incarcerated people who maintain good conduct after a years-long waiting period. States like Utah which have enacted similar legislation have seen reductions in recidivism and increases in employment. 
• Reproductive health measures to make it easier for women to obtain contraception (A1060A) and medication abortion (A1395C)

The list also includes the second passage of the Equality Amendment, a constitutional amendment that will go before voters next year. If passed, this amendment will add sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy to the existing list of classes that are protected against discrimination in civil rights.

Levenberg has also been busy advocating for funding for local priorities, such as improving roads. In May, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) updated its list of upcoming capital projects to include a proposal to repave part of Route 9A. This year’s state budget also included an increase in funding for local road repairs, and Assembly District 95 has received approximately $2.3 million in funding from the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS). The percentage increase for each municipality in the district was between 10 and 14%. During state budget negotiations, Levenberg also successfully advocated for additional funding for programs that address cost of living and quality of life issues. These include initiatives like the Housing Opportunities Program for the Elderly (HOPE/RESTORE) and Homeowner Protection Program, as well as support for local not-for-profits like Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill and Neighbors Link.

Looking ahead, Levenberg will continue to focus on cost-of-living issues, particularly relating to housing and home energy costs. She has already begun working with colleagues in neighboring districts on housing, in consultation with municipal leaders. “We must find ways to increase our housing stock and make housing more affordable,” she said. “This is both a moral and economic imperative for New York; without addressing this issue, we will not be able to retain many of the workers that the pandemic reminded us were essential.” She will also continue pushing for legislation like the New York Home Energy Affordable Transition (NY HEAT) Act, which would cap energy bills at 6% of a low- to middle-income household’s monthly income, end New York’s remaining fossil fuel subsidies, and develop a transition plan to reduce the state’s reliance on natural gas.