“Like last year, Gov. Hochul is again putting forward a proposal to drastically reduce local control of zoning. Allowing a state-controlled entity to second guess local decision making even when a proposal violates local zoning is not the correct path forward. I urge the governor to work with our partners in local government, not against them. The speech also lacked a clear proposal for addressing the crime spike our communities are dealing with every day. It is clear that judicial discretion cannot exist until we empower judges to consider a defendant's danger to the public. Long Islanders voiced their concerns with the direction of this state in November, and I implore the governor to keep them in mind as we move forward.”