Michaelle C. Solages

1. Do you feel New York State is moving in the right direction or the wrong direction?

Right Direction

Wrong Track

Don’t know / no opinion.

2. Which issues should the Governor and Legislature focus on now? (Select 2 per category)

Healthcare

Expanding access to affordable healthcare for all New Yorkers

Strengthening mental health and addiction services.

Lowering prescription drug costs.

Improving maternal health and reducing racial disparities inoutcomes

Enhancing Medicaid services (e.g., doula care, telehealth, home care)

Housing & Property Taxes

Increasing the supply of affordable housing.

Expanding rent stabilization and tenant protections.

Providing stronger property tax relief for seniors and middle-class families.

Public Safety & Justice

Strengthening gun safety laws.

Reforming bail, pretrial detention, and sentencing policies

Expanding community-based violence prevention programs

Increasing mental health crisis response teams instead of relying only on police

Education

Investing in universal pre-K and early childhood education

Reducing class sizes in public schools

Expanding vocational, apprenticeship, and technical training

Improving school safety while protecting student rights

Increasing equitable funding for schools across the state

Jobs & Economic Development

Supporting small businesses and local entrepreneurs

Creating job training programs for clean energy and tech industries

Expanding tax incentives for businesses that hire locally

Investing in infrastructure (roads, bridges, broadband, transit)

Cracking down on wage theft and reducing wage inequality

Climate & Environment

Expanding renewable energy projects like wind and solar

Improving public transportation to cut emissions

Preparing communities for flooding, storms, and climate resilience

Protecting clean water, natural resources, and green spaces

Meeting statewide carbon reduction goals under the climate law

Civil Rights & Social Justice

Protecting reproductive healthcare access

Expanding LGBTQ+ rights and protections

Addressing systemic racial inequalities in housing, health, and education

Strengthening voting rights and fair election access

Reforming the criminal justice system to reduce disparities

Immigration

Expanding language access across state agencies

Creating pathways for immigrant workforce integration

Increasing access to legal aid for immigration cases

Taxes & Budget

Considering a wealth tax on the ultra-wealthy

Providing broader property tax relief for homeowners

Reducing income taxes for middle-class families

Ensuring stricter oversight and accountability in state spending

Transportation & Infrastructure

Expanding and modernizing public transit systems

Repairing and upgrading roads and bridges

Supporting statewide electric vehicle charging infrastructure

Implementing congestion pricing in high-traffic areas to fund mass transit

3. Would you like to explain why these issues are important to you?

4. Of the following areas, where should the 2026 state budget allocate more funds? (Select 3)

Expanding access to Medicaid and affordable health insurance

Increasing funding for mental health services

Subsidizing prescription drug costs

Improving public school funding

Expanding early childhood education programs and childcare

Increasing access to vocational and technical training

Building more affordable housing units

Stronger oversight of utility companies and rate increases

Investing in public and renewable energy to lower costs long-term

Expanding property tax relief

Funding community-based violence prevention programs

Supporting small business grants and incentives

Investing in job training for emerging industries

Funding infrastructure upgrades for economic growth

Providing resources for food security programs

Expanding programs for seniors and individuals with disabilities

5. What do you think are the most pressing issues the Legislature should address in 2026?

LABOR & WORKERS’ RIGHTS

6.

Background: New York passed a law (S.8034-A/A.08590-A) giving the state more power to oversee workplace disputes, but companies are suing to block it.

Question: Do you support strengthening workers’ rights to organize unions and bargain collectively?

Strongly support

Support

Oppose

Unsure

7.

Background: Some lawmakers propose taxing companies that replace workers with AI and using the money for retraining; business groups say it punishes innovation.

Question: Should New York impose a tax on companies that replace human workers with AI, with the revenue funding job retraining programs?

Yes, to protect workers

No, it punishes innovation

Only in certain industries

ENERGY & CLIMATE

8.

Background: Thousands of New Yorkers have had their electricity shut off during heat waves and cold snaps.

Question: Should the state ban utility shut-offs during extreme weather?

Yes

No

Unsure

9.

Background: The NESE pipeline has been proposed to supply NYC and Long Island. Supporters say it would prevent outages; opponents say it conflicts with climate goals, risks water quality, and could raise costs.

Question: What should New York do about the NESE pipeline?

Approve NESE to improve gas reliability

Reject NESE and focus on renewable and non-pipeline alternatives

Modify the project with stricter environmental protections and cost controls

Unsure / need more information

10-11.

Background: The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (S.1464/A.1749) would require large manufacturers to reduce plastic packaging by 30% over 12 years, ban harmful chemicals, and fund recycling. Supporters say it reduces pollution and saves taxpayer dollars. Opponents warn it could raise consumer prices.

Questions:

10.

Do you support or oppose this bill?

Strongly support

Support

Oppose

Strongly oppose

Unsure / need more information

11.

Which statement is closest to your view?

The benefits to public health, environment, and taxpayers are worth any small cost increase

The bill should be modified to protect households from cost increases

The extra costs outweigh the benefits

Unsure / need more information

VOTING & ELECTIONS

12.

Background: A new state law changes the timing of most local office elections. Starting next year, these elections will be held in even-numbered years, aligning them with major statewide and federal contests. Supporters argue that this could increase voter participation and reduce administrative costs. Critics worry that local races may get less visibility when placed on larger ballots.

Question: What are your thoughts on the new schedule for most local office elections?

I support it

I oppose it

I am unsure

13.

Background: Long Island voters often face long lines during early voting.

Question: Should the state expand early voting sites in Nassau County?

Yes

No

Unsure

14.

Background: In New York, redistricting is handled by an Independent Commission, but courts and lawmakers often step in. In Texas, lawmakers want to redraw districts mid-decade. In California, voters may let the legislature temporarily replace commission maps.

Question: How should New York handle redistricting?

Strengthen the Independent Commission so it has final say

Keep the current system (courts and lawmakers can step in)

Allow mid-decade redistricting like Texas

Adopt a California-style model giving lawmakers temporary control

Unsure

CRIMINAL JUSTICE & CORRECTIONS

15.

Background: State prisons face staffing shortages, violence, and mental health needs.

Question: What should New York do to reduce prison violence and improve conditions?

Increase correctional staff and security funding

Increase funding for mental health and rehabilitation

Do both equally

Explore alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenses

Unsure

16.

Background: The HALT Act (Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act) limits solitary confinement in New York to 15 days, bans it for vulnerable groups, and requires alternatives with daily programming and recreation. Officers say it reduces safety; advocates say it prevents abuse.

Question: Which view is closest to yours?

Keep HALT as is

Strengthen HALT with better enforcement and rehab programs

Modify HALT to give officers more discretion

Roll back HALT to restore broader use of solitary confinement

Unsure

AI & TECHNOLOGY

17.

Background: Landlords, employers, and insurers are using AI to screen applicants. Civil rights groups warn these systems can discriminate; businesses argue banning them hurts efficiency.

Question: Should New York ban businesses from using AI in housing, hiring, or loans if audits show bias, even if costs rise?

Yes, ban biased systems completely

No, let businesses use them as they see fit

Only regulate them more strictly, not ban

Unsure

STATE BUDGET & REVENUE

18.

Background: New York faces federal funding cuts that may affect essential programs and services. The State must consider ways to raise revenue to fill these gaps.

Question: Which approach should New York prioritize to address federal funding cuts?

Increase taxes on high-income earners and large corporations

Close tax loopholes and improve enforcement of existing taxes

Expand fees or revenue from industries such as gaming, cannabis, or online sales

Reduce spending in other areas instead of raising new revenue

A combination of the above

Unsure / No opinion

19. How do you prefer to receive updates from our office? (Select all that apply)

Email

Social media (please specify platform)

Phone calls

Postal mail

In-person town halls

Other (please specify)

20. Do you have any additional thoughts or comments?

21. Would you like to subscribe to our eNewsletter?

Yes (please provide email)

Assemblywoman

Assembly District 22

2026 AD-22 Constituent Survey