When Will the New York State Legislature Go Back to the Work of Legislating?

For weeks I have been on virtual meetings, town halls, teach-ins, rallies, etc about issues we are facing — budget cuts,raising state revenue, recovery, federal stimulus-healthcare, homelessness, elections, hunger, incarceration protecting immigrants, climate change, etc.

New York State has a key role to play.

On every one of these virtual events it always comes back to the question of “when will the New York State legislature go back to the work of legislating?” This week especially, this question dominated every zoom.

A group of core legislators, many progressive and whom we know to be fighters for us have said they want to go back now and ask us to keep pushing New York Assembly and Senate leadership to get them back. But some are suggesting (and are not happy about it) that they may not go back or if they do the focus will be limited.

And for every legislator on these calls there are many more not joining to talk about recovery, potential budget cuts, raising revenue; not pushing to go back; not fighting for us; deferring to the federal government and our governor. Where are they, why are they abdicating the job of passing laws we elected them to do? Where is my Assembly Member?

It is clear that the New York State legislature must go back to pass needed laws as we face an escalating crisis. Their job is to work with the federal government and to fill gaps missed. Their job is to balance power with not cede power to the governor. Their job is to work for all New Yorkers in all times and especially in times of despair, need, and crisis.