VOTE411 Voter Guide

Transforming New York’s Mental Health Systems - For too long, New York has underinvested in mental health, and has siphoned off resources from those who need it most. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Mental Health, I am proud of some of the progress we have made—from giving workers their first cost of living adjustment in 12 years, to establishing the state’s 9-8-8’s crisis line. Supporting Mothers and Families - New York has an abysmal maternal mortality rate, especially compared to states with similar resources. In New York, Black mothers are approximately three times as likely as their white counterparts to die from a pregnancy complication, with over three quarters of those deaths being preventable. Reinvesting in Underserved Communities - We know that many families live in communities without ample resources—whether that is a grocery store or a doctor’s office—and that the long term effects of that can affect generations of families and their wellbeing.

Samra supports the work of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, one of the most ambitious climate laws in the country, setting aggressive targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. She successfully fought for increased funding for the Environmental Protection Fund, which supports conservation, clean water, and green infrastructure projects. Samra champions renewable energy projects, including solar and wind initiatives, to reduce our carbon footprint and create green jobs.

Transforming New York’s Mental Health Systems - For too long, New York has underinvested in mental health, and has siphoned off resources from those who need it most. Now, due to years of inadequate funding and the additional stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, New York is on the brink of crisis. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Mental Health, I am proud of some of the progress we have made—from giving workers their first cost of living adjustment in 12 years, to establishing the state’s 9-8-8’s crisis line. But, there is much left to do. I believe that fixing our mental healthcare system starts with supporting our mental health workforce. We need to ensure that workers work in organizations that can

As the first Black Woman from Upstate New York to serve in the New York State Senate, I understand first hand the damage a decision like Louisiana v. Callais will have on diminishing proper representation nationwide. To combat the swift diminishment of black representation across the South, New York must be ready to fight back with the full power invested in us by the State and Federal Constitutions to increase our voices and representation on a federal level.

Affordable, Reliable Energy — Expand energy options while protecting consumer choice. Support a mix of natural gas, nuclear, and renewable energy, oppose costly mandates, and require responsible siting that protects farmland, lakes, streams, and ponds. 2. Keeping Our Communities Safe — Support police and first responders, hold repeat violent offenders accountable, protect victims and law-abiding families, and pursue a justice system that is fair while maintaining accountability for people who threaten communities. 3. Supporting Women & Families — Respect New York’s existing reproductive-choice law while emphasizing practical support for women and families, including prenatal and maternal care, nutrition, resources for mothers and babies, adoption options, and support for women carrying pregnancies to term.

New York can address climate change without sacrificing affordability, reliability, our farms, or the environment we are trying to protect. I support an all-of-the-above energy strategy that includes nuclear, renewables, energy efficiency and reliable natural gas while investing in new technologies and modernizing our electric grid. Renewable energy must also be responsibly sited. We should not sacrifice productive farmland, clear-cut state forests, or threaten our lakes, streams, and other sensitive areas simply to meet poor renewable-energy mandates. We should prioritize rooftops, brownfields, landfills, marginal farmland, and previously developed sites. Farmers are facing real financial pressures and rather than simply incentivizing them to replace productive farmland with solar arrays, New York should pursue policies that help keep family farms financially viable and producing food. Climate policy should protect our environment, not create new environmental problems in the process.

I believe social and racial justice starts with equal treatment under the law and equal opportunity for every New Yorker. I would support strong enforcement of our civil-rights laws against discrimination in employment, housing and education, while working to expand access to quality education, good-paying jobs and economic opportunity in every community. I also believe justice and public safety go hand in hand. We should support law enforcement while demanding professionalism, accountability and equal treatment for everyone. Our policies should help people overcome barriers, strengthen families and communities, and judge individuals by their character and actions, not their race or background.

New York should comply fully with the Supreme Court’s decision and make sure our redistricting process treats voters equally under the Constitution. I would not support drawing districts primarily on the basis of race or using the decision as an excuse for partisan gerrymandering. New York already has an Independent Redistricting Commission and constitutional requirements protecting minority voting rights, compact districts, communities of interest and political subdivisions. I would support keeping that process transparent, bipartisan and focused on fair representation for every voter.