New York State Insider: Election 2022 Desk News: Fundraiser for Joe Pinion Republican for United States Senator: Elections 2022.

 

New York State Insider: Election Desk 2022 News: New York State Senator Pete Harckham: Elections 2022.

Pete Harckham for Senate Weekend of Action

Join us this weekend as we get started on the most essential activity for electing Democrats: direct voter contact!  Team up with our staff and interns to meet and engage our voters where they are on the issues that will decide this election.  Email us at ReElectHarckham@gmail.com to sign up.

New York State Insider: New York State Attorney General: Attorney General James Condemns Texas AG for Endangering Lives of Pregnant People.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 14, 2022.

Attorney General James Condemns Texas AG
for Endangering Lives of Pregnant People.

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued the following statement in response to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s lawsuit against the Biden administration’s rule that abortions are required in medical emergencies in order to save the life of the pregnant person:

“If the Attorney General of Texas were actually ‘pro-life,’ he would do anything possible to save the life of a mother faced with a dire medical emergency. Instead, he is again taking dangerous, malicious, and inhumane action that would jeopardize the lives of so many. I am sickened by his disregard for the safety of Americans, but make no mistake: I will fight back and take action to protect access to this critical care.”

New York State Insider: [PRESS STATEMENT] Senator Biaggi Issues Statement Regarding Newly Released JCOPE Report.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, July 11th, 2022.

Senator Biaggi Issues Statement Regarding Newly Released JCOPE Report.

NEW YORK, NY – Last week, New York’s now defunct Joint Commission on Public Ethics voted to release a third-party investigative report detailing the process which led to JCOPE’s approval of “American Crisis,” former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s memoir on the COVID-19 pandemic. 

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi (D-Bronx/Westchester) issued the following statement:

“It is no secret that since its creation, JCOPE has failed at every opportunity to serve as a truly independent ethics body and to uphold integrity in government. This report serves as a final reminder of the utter dysfunction and disappointment that JCOPE was– further illustrating how the Commission only served as a mouthpiece for the party leaders who appointed them, rather than working for the public interest. 

The report details how JCOPE leadership allowed themselves to be swayed by former Governor Cuomo’s staff, choosing to both ignore red flags and hold the former Governor accountable. Instead of taking action themselves, JCOPE Commissioners allowed the Cuomo administration to dictate and strong-arm the investigation. This example is just one of many in which JCOPE failed to act independently from its appointing authorities— which is why we know it was designed to fail from the start.

Moving forward, it is my hope the new Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government learns from the mistakes of its predecessor. If it is to be successful as an ethics body, this new Commission must prioritize transparency and accountability above all else. Commissioners must be committed to holding those in power accountable, rather than becoming beholden to their interests. This new body has its work cut out for them— they must work to rebuild the public’s trust in our system of ethics and oversight, and prove that they are capable of bringing real ethics and integrity to Albany. New Yorkers deserve integrity from their government, and we have a responsibility to ensure that happens.”

New York State Insider: [PRESS STATEMENT] Senator Biaggi Issues Statement Regarding Tenth Death on Rikers This Year.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, July 11th, 2022.

Senator Biaggi Issues Statement Regarding Tenth Death on Rikers This Year.

BRONX, NY – On Sunday evening, Elijah Muhammad was found “unresponsive” inside a Rikers Island cell and later declared dead. This marks the tenth death on Rikers this year alone. 

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi (D-Bronx/Westchester) issued the following statement:

“Rikers continues to be a death sentence for those who are sent there. While Rikers’ population is among the lowest it has been in years, deaths have spiked to an alarming all time high. 

The City's action plan was approved by Judge Swain one month ago– since then four incarcerated individuals have died. We are long past the notion that these are ‘isolated incidents.’ Rikers has proven that it cannot safeguard people’s lives, let alone their safety. It is evident that the Department of Corrections and the Mayor are ill equipped to solely bring an end to the humanitarian crisis on Rikers. It is time to put politics aside and accept that the City cannot solve this crisis alone. 

Once again, I am calling for Rikers to be placed under the control of a federal receiver in the interim. The only solution to end this crisis is to close Rikers.”

New York State Insider: [PRESS STATEMENT] Senator Biaggi Issues Statement Regarding Concealed Carry Legislation.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, July 1st, 2022.

Senator Biaggi Issues Statement Regarding Concealed Carry Legislation.

ALBANY, NY – Today, the Legislature passed S51001 as a response to the Supreme Court’s ruling in NYS Pistol and Rifle Association Inc. v. Bruen. 

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi (D-Bronx/Westchester) issued the following statement:

Last week, the Supreme Court made the reprehensible decision to overturn New York’s concealed carry law– despite tragedies in Uvalde, Buffalo, and the countless other shootings that we have experienced this year. We have the duty as a legislature to ensure that New Yorkers feel safe–  and we did just that. This omnibus bill bolsters the licensing requirements an applicant must meet to obtain a firearms license. This legislation protects New Yorkers from potential gun violence by enhancing training requirements, enumerating a list of sensitive locations where people cannot carry a firearm and safeguards private property rights by requiring owners to “opt in” to allowing weapons on their property. Additionally, we have strengthened safe storage laws by increasing the age limit from 16 to 18, as well as ensuring a person cannot leave a weapon outside of their possession in a car unless the weapon is safely secured in a lockbox. This legislation ensures that common-sense public policies will be used to reduce gun violence– and will ultimately save lives. 

New York State Insider: [PRESS STATEMENT] Senator Biaggi Issues Statement on Equality Amendment.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, July 1st, 2022.

Senator Biaggi Issues Statement on Equality Amendment.

ALBANY, NY – Today, the Legislature passed S51002 as a response to the Supreme Court’s ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson’s Women's Health Organization.

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi (D-Bronx/Westchester) issued the following statement:

Today, I was proud to vote yes for the passage of the Equality Amendment and take the first step toward enshrining equal rights and justice in New York State’s Constitution. This amendment will provide crucial and explicit protection for women, LGBTQ New Yorkers, and New Yorkers of color.  As the Supreme Court takes frightening steps to roll back the rights of millions, it is vital for New York to provide every protection possible.