The New York State Assembly is the lower chamber of the New York State Legislature. Alongside the New York State Senate, it forms the legislative branch of the New York state government and works alongside the governor of New York to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the New York State Assembly include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes. The New York State Assembly meets in the state capitol building in Albany, New York.
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Experience and Qualifications
Coordinator of a peace, justice, and environmental group; Founder of Riverhead Area School Info/Riverhead RASI; published as a political writer.
Education
B.A. in English from Roanoke College, Salem VA. Masters in TESOL from SUNY Stony Brook.
*Solve community problems and create laws based on grassroots input.
*Be an independent voice and vote in Albany, to promote a progressive agenda.
*Data minimization (especially protect children's data online); Support the environment and water quality; Due process and Social Justice
Think of solving the problem from many directions: What can the public do?; How can NY State government educate the public?; How can corporations be held responsible for the damage that they do?. Also, New York State should use and support renewable energy wherever possible: Solar, wind, and other sustainable and renewable energies.
Acknowledge that some of our laws and institutions may have unintended (and possibly some intended) biases that harm groups of people such as women, people of color, or low income families. Fix and reform those laws and institutions through NY State legislation.
Realize that it should be a goal of government to serve everyone and support our vulnerable populations, including children, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Encourage local governments to create laws that will keep federal ICE agents from harming our communities or violating the civil rights of any resident.
An example of the kind of law I would support is the OLA-proposed legislation for Riverhead and other eastern Suffolk towns which instructs local police what to do when ICE incidents happen in their jurisdiction.
Support and further the work that the Governor is doing to keep ICE under control in New York.
In light of the Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais, I would deliberate with other NY State legislators to come up with state law solutions to making sure minority voices were heard in our elections. That might include state level laws about districting. It could also include alternative voting systems such as Proportional Representation or IRV/Ranked Choice Voting.
My planning on how to address making sure that minority voices are heard, and that there is a chance for some elected officials who are supported my minority voices (or who even reflect minority voices), would include meeting with nonprofit and community groups who represent those actual minority voices.
