We’re always looking for new ways to address housing shortages and make housing more affordable in New York. My Land Value Tax bill (S.1131A), highlighted in this article, would shift the tax focus from buildings to land, encouraging housing development and boosting economic growth.

Governor Hochul’s budget incorporates parts of my Sustainable Housing and Sprawl Prevention Act. We will cover the details and differences at today’s environmental conservation budget hearing. Below is an article highlighting the bill and a link to the live hearing. www.nysenate.gov/calendar/pub...

I have watched with grief and rage as two Americans have died in Minnesota recently. Families are torn apart, children detained, schools terrorized, and communities divided. While this administration claims to prioritize law and order, what’s happening is the opposite. My full statement is below.

Abortion is healthcare, and having one doesn’t disqualify someone from being a good parent. Still, reproductive history is often used against parents in custody cases. My bill (S.8860) will put an end to this, protecting children’s interests and ensuring access to reproductive services without fear.

As chair of the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection, I want you to recognize price gouging and understand what actions you can take. Please be cautious during this state of emergency and stay vigilant when buying essential items.

Our Medicaid funds should go directly to care, not private equity or insurance middlemen. We must stop enriching corporations while families lack access to care, and home care workers struggle. Thanks to the Caring Majority and all advocates for always supporting consumers and home care workers.

Today, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and reflect on his inspiring legacy. His messages of peace, unity, and equal rights remain as important today as ever.

Since Micron announced its decision to build a semiconductor facility in Central New York, we have been waiting for this historic groundbreaking. This nation-leading investment will create thousands of good-paying jobs, strengthen our local economy, and create opportunity for generations to come.

Too many New Yorkers, especially in rural counties, struggle to find dental care closer to home because there aren’t enough providers. My bill, now law, allows dental hygienists to collaborate with dentists and deliver care without direct supervision. This change will help expand access.

I’m glad Governor Hochul proposed reforms to streamline our environmental review process in her State of the State address, similar to my Senate bill (S3492), which will help lower building costs and increase affordable housing.

The Senate Majority votes today on several bills that will strengthen our democracy and make voting easier in New York. I’m proud to have my bill included, giving election commissioners the option to establish short-term polling sites to ensure voting is safer, more efficient, and more accessible.

It's great to be back in Albany for the 2026 legislative session. I'm looking forward to a productive year focused on policies to lower costs while maintaining our commitments to the services that residents in the 48th Senate District rely on. A few of my priorities are highlighted in the video.

Calling all volunteer fire departments. New York State has $25 million in grants for you. Apply by February 25. Details here: www.dhses.ny.gov/state-funded...

Merry Christmas! May peace, happiness, and blessings fill your home!

Over $1.2 million in funding for Onondaga County Public Libraries will help ensure a positive experience, whether browsing popular books, researching, or studying quietly. To best serve the 48th District, our libraries must be safe, secure, accessible, and equipped with the latest technology.

Happy Hanukkah! Wishing you eight days full of love, joy, peace, and blessings.

Tariffs are burdening small businesses like Talking Cursive Brewing Company, which is facing increasing inventory costs. Thank you, Senator Gillibrand, for visiting Syracuse to raise awareness about how tariffs hurt small businesses and for pushing to end this disastrous policy.

My bill, the Freedom to Read Act (S1099), affirms that every New York student should have access to inclusive, developmentally appropriate library collections chosen by librarians. Advocates went to Albany to urge Governor Hochul to sign the bill.

I joined over 160 lawmakers urging Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to release $42 billion in Congressionally authorized funding to expand internet access. Rural New Yorkers have waited far too long for high-speed broadband and deserve quick action. Full letter below. @ruralnys.bsky.social

Thank you to all the experts who attended my mental health roundtable and for your dedication to helping CNY residents. It was helpful to hear what’s working and what needs improvement. I left with many ideas I’ll bring to Albany when the legislative session begins in January.

Quality housing empowers residents and builds strong communities. I’m excited about The Langston, Phase I of a transformative mixed-income housing project for Syracuse. Our residents deserve to be proud of their homes and to feel comfortable and safe, and this is a big step toward that goal.

Thanks to AG Letitia James and her success in holding baby formula suppliers accountable for price gouging, she has brought over $100,000 worth of baby formula to CNY, providing some relief to families dealing with the high cost. I’m grateful for her hard work in making this happen.

Had a great time touring the Auburn YMCA. These places are critical for helping people stay active both physically and socially during the winter months ahead. Thank you, Scott and Michael, for showing me around and for everything you do for the Auburn community.

Happy Veterans Day! Let’s honor and recognize everyone who has served to secure our safety and freedom.

Thank you to Governor Hochul for ensuring that New Yorkers will receive their full SNAP benefits this month.

The Samaritan Center in Syracuse does exceptional work by feeding thousands of people each month and providing other critical services. I’m proud to have secured $250k for the non-profit to open the new Case Management Annex, enabling them to expand services and continue their mission.

I’m introducing legislation to address the Federal Government's announcement that SNAP benefits won't be distributed in November. School districts are uniquely positioned to fight hunger by providing food to take home, ensuring families stay nourished if SNAP benefits are cut now or in the future.

The NYS Housing Acceleration Fund will move stalled mixed-income projects forward, improve housing affordability, and better utilize state funds. I’m proud to have written legislation supporting this idea and will continue to advocate for more funding.

The American people deserve better than a government paralyzed by inaction. It’s time for the House to get back to Washington, come to the negotiating table, and take the common-sense steps needed to open up the People’s government. My full statement is below.

We had a great time at my senior resource fair in Syracuse. Thank you to everyone who came out. I hope everyone left with helpful information. Thank you to the fantastic organizations that participated and for everything you do to help our seniors.

The Department of Environmental Conservation is considering gas pipelines for our state, which contradicts New York’s climate goals. I urge the DEC and Governor Hochul to reject the project. Approving the pipelines would be a dangerous step in the wrong direction.

The InterFaith Works’ Welcome Home will be a comfortable and inviting space where refugees can live until they find a permanent home. Thank you to Interfaith Works for their hard work in bringing this idea to life. I’m glad that my office was able to help fund this fantastic project.

Thank you, Superintendent Davis, for your dedication to students and high-quality education in the Syracuse City School District. It was a pleasure to present you with a proclamation recognizing your many years of exemplary service.

The NYSEG proposal mentions rate increases to "improve... customer service," but I would like to know what specific investments are planned. The plan to close the Auburn office, the only place for complaints and inquiries, is concerning. I discuss the issue on the FLX morning podcast.

For Banned Books Week, I'd like to share a passage from a history book that holds significance for me, the one my grandparents wrote in the 1960s. Despite being an accurate account of our history, there was significant opposition to its publication, with calls for it to be banned.

The GOP leadership in Congress failed to pass a budget to keep the government open. It is time for them to change course and finally make some concessions for the good of their constituents and their country. My full statement is below.

It was great to meet Corcoran students at Inficon to kick off Manufacturing Month in NY. It’s an excellent opportunity for students to get an inside look at high-tech manufacturing jobs. Thank you, Inficon and MACNY, for opening their eyes to the fantastic employment opportunities in CNY.

Congratulations to all the artists at The ARC of Onondaga for the excellent show! I really enjoyed seeing all the paintings, drawings, and fantastic yarn art. I had a great time, thank you for inviting me.

Having working vehicles with the latest technology is essential for maintaining public safety in Auburn. I am glad that my office was able to secure funding to help purchase five vehicles. Thank you to Mayor Gianettino and everyone who helped make this possible.

Central New Yorkers should be confident that their tap water is both safe and clean. To ensure this, the state is providing over $40 million in financing and grants to replace lead pipes in the 48th District, improving public health, creating jobs, and guaranteeing clean water for years to come.

Visited the Ward W. O’Hara Agricultural and Country Living Museum in Auburn for its 50th anniversary. Every time I go, I discover a fascinating exhibit that highlights the rich history of agriculture in New York. Congratulations to everyone at the museum, and thank you for preserving our history.

Shanah Tovah! Wishing everyone celebrating Rosh Hashanah a wonderful time with loved ones! May the New Year be sweet!

The INSPYRE Innovation Hub is a major milestone for CNY, strengthening our reputation for innovation while creating jobs and boosting the local economy. I’m proud of the CNY legislative delegation who helped secure funding, and thank you to everyone who worked hard to bring this project to life.

As we mark 24 years since the tragic 9/11 attacks, let’s honor those who lost their lives at the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Flight 93. Let’s also recognize the bravery of first responders and everyone else who rushed to help others that day.

My bill, the Freedom to Read Act, affirms that every student in New York should have access to big, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate library collections, and that our certified librarians should be trusted to curate them professionally and responsibly.

The ICE raid in Cato does not make our communities safer. It does not help our local economy. It leaves lives shattered, traumatizes an entire community, and tells a very dark story about who we are in America today. My full statement is below.

The Syracuse Regional STEAM school will be a transformative opportunity for students, providing a direct pathway to a career. I’m proud to have led the effort in Albany to secure funding for this first-of-its-kind school in CNY. I am grateful to everyone who made this project a reality.

We’re helping fund the replacement of the boardwalk on the Lake Loop Trail at Beaver Lake Nature Center in Baldwinsville, making it easier for more people to safely enjoy Central New York’s natural beauty for many years to come.

Van Duyn residents have endured deplorable and dangerous conditions for years, leading the facility to be ranked among the worst. Now, a victory for the residents, as Van Duyn is required to make improvements. Thank you to AG James and her office for all the hard work to get this win.

Last week, we celebrated the DreamBuildHer program, which offers opportunities for teen girls to grow their creativity and entrepreneurial skills. Honorees Ismahan and Lesly developed a business plan to support teens in their community. Thank you to YWCA, Spectrum, and everyone who made it happen.