The Issues

 

PROTECTING lake erie & OUR ENVIRONMENT

  • Sponsor of the Lake Erie Bill of Rights, which would provide an enforcement mechanism for polluters to be held accountable

  • Sponsor of legislation to create a commission to craft a plan to eliminate single-use plastics in New York State

  • Co-sponsored and voted for the historic Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which requires 100% clean power by 2040

  • Supports increased budgetary funding to protect our environment, including combating climate change and cleaning up our waterways

  • Pushing for increased funding to repair the sewer system in the Town of West Seneca

  • Serves on the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee

  • Chairs the Assembly Subcommittee on the Oversight of the Department of Environmental Conservation

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ENHANCING OUR COMMUNITY’S PUBLIC SPACES & SERVICES

  • Sponsored a new law that requires increased transparency and public hearings prior to the closure of a park operated by the state

  • Committed $125,000 in funding to go toward the creation of an accessible playground in Chestnut Ridge Park in Orchard Park

  • Committed $100,000 in funding to rehabilitate the Burchfield Nature and Art Center in West Seneca

  • Supports increased walkability and outdoor amenities in the 142nd district

  • Fighting for increased access to public transportation district-wide

  • Serves on the Assembly Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development Committee

STANDING WITH ORGANIZED LABOR & STRENGTHENING OUR MIDDLE CLASS

  • Proudly stands in solidarity with union workers

  • Supports relieving the tax burden on the middle class by instituting an ultra-millionaire’s wealth tax and the stock transfer tax

  • Sponsors legislation to limit the numbers of cases that preventative services caseworkers must take on

  • Is commitment to addressing the real issues affecting working families

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Supporting OUR SCHOOLS

  • Voted to remove the mandate that state-created or administered assessments be used for teacher and principal evaluations

  • Fought and will continue to fight for increased funding for school districts serving the 142nd

  • Supports increased security measures to keep our students and staff members safe

Keeping our Kids Safe

  • Co-sponsored and voted to end harmful conversion therapy state-wide after writing the “PENCE” bill as a County Legislator to ban the practice in Erie County

  • Co-sponsored and helped pass the Child Victims Act

  • Sponsored a new law that expands the definition of “child victim” to make more families eligible for state reimbursements

  • Serves on the Assembly Children & Families Committee

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FIGHTING FOR THOSE WHO FIGHT FOR US

  • Advocated for health care coverage for Western New Yorkers in the New York Army National Guard who have suffered from health issues related to their service after 9/11

  • Sponsored a new law that allows Erie County to waive certain fees for construction and improvement projects for veterans' organizations

  • Sponsor of legislation that permits a testimonial privilege to emergency responders helping other responders through crisis and stress management

  • Sponsor of legislation that would provide free sporting licenses to Gold Star parents

JUSTICE FOR RACHAEL ACT

Rachael Wierzbicki was 22 years old when she was murdered in South Buffalo, New York on November 27th, 2018. Her then boyfriend was charged and indicted for her murder. He was remanded to jail without bail at his arraignment. At a later hearing, a State Supreme Court Justice set bail at $175,000 cash or bond. He posted bail later that afternoon and was released from jail. 

The pain of a family losing a child is immeasurable, and in cases like this it is compounded by the fact that the victim's accused murderer is walking free. The legislation I introduced will ensure that when tragedies like this occur, families and communities can take comfort in the fact that prosecutors will be able to request a dangerousness hearing to determine whether or not defendants should be released pretrial, and that one's ability to afford bail is not a consideration.