Press Releases

March 2024

Assembly Passes Legislation to Keep New Yorkers from being Charged for Additional Insurance Coverage After the Death of a Spouse

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember David Weprin today announced the passage of legislation that would require auto insurers provide supplemental spousal liability insurance to insured drivers that have a spouse. Supplemental spousal liability insurance...

Assembly Passes Resolution Ensuring Decades Old Calls for Constitutional Conventions Aren't Manipulated for Future, Unrelated Purposes

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Ken Zebrowski today announced that the Assembly passed a resolution rescinding all previous applications made by the New York State Legislature to call for a constitutional convention (K.797, Zebrowski). “We cannot...

Legislature Announces General Conference Committee Appointments

Assembly's SFY 2024-25 Budget Proposal Makes Critical Investments in Medicaid and Public Health

Speaker Carl Heastie and Health Committee Chair Amy Paulin today announced that the Assembly’s proposed State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget adds $3.1 billion in funding to the Medicaid program and $1.1 billion in investments in public health. “Access...

Proposed Assembly Budget Makes $19.6 Billion Investment in Higher Education, Including $213.2 Million in Opportunity Program Funding

Speaker Carl Heastie and Higher Education Committee Chair Patricia Fahy today announced the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Proposed Budget makes investments to ensure higher education is accessible for all New York students by funding the...

Assembly SFY 2024-25 Proposed Budget Includes $36.4 Billion in School Aid

Speaker Carl Heastie, Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto and Libraries and Educational Technology Chair Angelo Santabarbara today announced the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Proposed Budget provides $36.4 billion in funding to...

Assembly's Proposed $245.8 Billion SFY 2024-25 Budget Invests in Making New York State a More Affordable Place to Live

Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today announced that the Assembly will pass the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget proposal. The $245.8 billion spending plan makes critical investments in making...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Prohibit Use of Carbon Dioxide to Drill and Extract Natural Gas and Oil

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Anna Kelles today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would prohibit the use of carbon dioxide to extract natural gas and oil resources, a process often referred to as “fracking” (A8866, Kelles)....

Assembly Passes Legislative Package to Protect Consumers from Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries After Concerning Rise in Fires

Speaker Carl Heastie announced today that the Assembly passed a package of legislation this week to strengthen consumer protections against rechargeable lithium-ion batteries found in many popular electric vehicles and devices. This set of bills comes...

Legislature Elects Three New Members and Re-elects Three Members to Board of Regents

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senate and Assembly Education Committee Chairs Shelley B. Mayer and Michael Benedetto, and Assembly Higher Education Committee Chair Patricia Fahy today announced the Legislature’s...

January 2024

New York State Assembly Passes Rape is Rape Act, Clearing the Way for Governor Hochul's Signature

New York State Assembly Passes Rape is Rape Act, Clearing the Way for Governor Hochul's Signature Albany, NY - January 29, 2024 - The New York State Assembly passed a key chapter amendment to the Rape is Rape Act today, establishing an updated effective...

Speaker Heastie Statement on Holocaust Remembrance Day

Today my colleagues and I in the Assembly Majority passed a resolution commemorating Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 79th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. It’s a solemn day, where we remember the horrors committed by the Nazis against...

Assembly Begins Passing Legislative Package to Improve Women's Healthcare and Maternal Health Outcomes on Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

Speaker Carl Heastie announced today that the Assembly will begin passing a package of legislation to strengthen reproductive health services and tackle the maternal and infant mortality rise across the state. This package joins a series of legislation...

Legislature Announces 2024 Joint Legislative Budget Hearing Schedule

Speaker Heastie Announces New Leadership Positions

Speaker Heastie today announced the following leadership appointments: Chair, Labor Harry B. Bronson Chair, Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry Al Stirpe Chair, Small Business Carrie Woerner Chair, Libraries...

The Remarks of Speaker Carl E. Heastie - Opening the 247th Legislative Session

January 3, 2024Assembly Chamber_____________________________________[as prepared for delivery] Good morning members, staff and guests. Welcome back to the New York State Assembly Chamber. I’d like to start by wishing everyone a happy and healthy new...

September 2023

Speaker Heastie Continues Statewide Tour in Franklin County, Announcing $3 Million in Funding for Indoor Sports Facility

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Speaker Heastie today continued his statewide tour, joining Assemblymember Billy Jones at the Malone Memorial Recreational Park to announce a new indoor sports facility and $3 million in combined funding from the Assembly Majority to help get the project...

Speaker Heastie Continues Annual Statewide Tour in Peekskill

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Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today with Assemblymember Dana Levenberg in Peekskill, located in the 95th Assembly District. Together, they took a walking tour, making stops at the Field Library, Iron Vine, Blondery, the Peekskill...

Speaker Carl Heastie Implements Sanctions Against
Assemblymember Danny O'Donnell

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that he is immediately implementing sanctions recommended by the bipartisan Assembly Ethics and Guidance Committee concerning the conduct of Assemblymember Danny O’Donnell. After a full investigation, the...

Speaker Heastie Statement on Lunar New Year Becoming a Holiday in New York State Public Schools

New York State is beautifully diverse, with people from different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds living, working and raising families together. Making Lunar New Year a holiday for our public schools will give thousands of Asian students in...

Speaker Heastie Stops in Monticello on Annual Statewide Tour, Announcing $2 Million for the Ted Stroebele Recreation Center

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Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Monticello, where he and Assemblymember Aileen Gunther visited the Ted Stroebele Recreation Center and announced $2 million in state funds for improvements to the facility. “Our community...

August 2023

Speaker Heastie Continues Annual Statewide Tour with Stops in Tarrytown, Irvington and Dobbs Ferry, Announcing $2.1 Million for Infrastructure Projects

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Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today with Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky where they visited the Tarrytown Riverfront in Tarrytown, the “Yesterday” sculpture in Irvington and the Dobbs Ferry Waterfront in Dobbs Ferry. During...

Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember Lunsford Announce $2.5 Million for Humane Society of Greater Rochester's Lollypop Farm

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Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Fairport with Assemblymember Jen Lunsford, where they visited the Humane Society of Greater Rochester’s Lollypop Farm and announced $2.5 million in state funding to continue the expansion...

Speaker Heastie Continues Annual Statewide Tour in Utica, Announcing $3 Million in Funding for Safe Schools Mohawk Valley, First Responders and the Val Bialas Ski Center

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Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today in Utica with Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon, where they visited the Safe Schools Mohawk Valley’s youth leadership program and announced $3 million in funding for the school, first...

Speaker Heastie Continues Annual Statewide Tour in Onondaga County, Announcing $2.5 Million for AccessCNY's New Step-Down Unit for Children and Teens with Disabilities

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Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Cicero, where he and Assemblymember Al Stirpe announced $2.5 million in state funds for AccessCNY to expand its outreach services by creating a specialized ‘step-down’ care unit for...

Speaker Heastie Continues Annual Statewide Tour in Broome County, Presenting $750,000 to the Commercial Kitchen at Cornell Cooperative Extension

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Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today, joining Assemblymember Donna Lupardo at the State University of New York (SUNY) Broome Community College Food Sciences & Brew Lab and the Commercial Kitchen at Cornell Cooperative Extension...

Speaker Heastie Continues Annual Statewide Tour in Rotterdam, Announcing $2.5 million for the Capital Region Aquatic Center

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Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today, joining Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara in Rotterdam to see the future site of the Capital Region Aquatic Center, announcing that $2.5 million in capital funding will be going to the aquatic...

Speaker Heastie Announces $500,000 in funding for Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York on Annual Statewide Tour

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Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today, stopping in Latham with Assemblymember Phil Steck for a tour of the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and announced $500,000 in capital funding. This funding will be used for general...

Speaker Heastie Continues Annual Statewide Tour, Announces $620,000 for Glens Falls Senior Center with Assemblymember Woerner

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Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Glens Falls with Assemblymember Carrie Woerner, where they visited the Glens Falls Senior Center and announced $500,000 in capital funding for the senior center to update their basement...

Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember Wallace Announce $160,000 in State Funding for Griffith Park & Sloan Active Hose Company No. 1

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Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Erie County, joining Assemblymember Monica Wallace to announce $100,000 to make bathrooms at Griffith Park compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and $60,000 for Sloan Active...

Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember McMahon Announce $750,000 for the Amherst Police Department Dispatch Center

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Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his tour in Western New York with Assemblymember Karen McMahon at the Amherst Police Department Community Policing & Training Facility, where they announced $750,000 in funding for improvements to the Amherst Police...

Speaker Heastie Announced $1 Million for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northtowns on Annual Statewide Tour

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Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Western New York, where he joined Assemblymember William Conrad, visiting Camp Spirit in North Tonawanda. There, they announced $1 million including $500,000 to support the organization’s...

Speaker Heastie Stops in Newburgh to Visit Urban Farm and Historic Park During Annual Statewide Tour

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Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today, joining Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson to visit an urban farm providing free or low-cost produce to city residents and the historic Downing Park, where a new project is underway. “I can’t...

Speaker Heastie Visits Columbia County to Discuss Solutions to the Rural Affordable Housing Crisis on Annual Statewide Tour

Pictured in the first photo with Speaker Heastie at the Habitat for Humanity build site is (from left to right) Assemblymember Didi Barrett and Columbia County Affordable Housing Taskforce member and architect Dennis Wedlick.
Speaker Carl Heastie made another stop on his annual statewide tour today, visiting Columbia County with Assemblymember Didi Barrett to discuss solutions to solving the affordable housing crisis plaguing rural communities.  “I want to thank Assemblymember...

July 2023

Speaker Heastie Visits Bayswater Point State Park During Statewide Tour

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Speaker Carl Heastie made another stop on his annual statewide tour today, visiting the Bayswater Point State Park and Jamaica Bay in Far Rockaway, Queens with Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato to see the park’s preservation and restoration projects....

Speaker Heastie Continues Annual Statewide Tour in East Yonkers

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Speaker Carl Heastie continued his statewide tour today, joining Assemblymember Nader Sayegh in the Armour Villa neighborhood to see the impacts suburban construction and climate change are having on the severe flooding in the community. “For Armour...

Speaker Heastie Announces Staff Appointments

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that he has appointed Philip Fields to serve as secretary to the Ways and Means Committee and has appointed Matthew Golden to serve as director of Budget Studies. “Philip and Matthew are integral members of a strong,...

Speaker Heastie Continues Statewide Tour with Visit to Manhasset Bay

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Speaker Carl Heastie continued his statewide tour today, joining Assemblymember Gina Sillitti for a boat tour of Manhasset Bay on Long Island to see the effects that climate change are having on the bay and surrounding communities. “Manhasset Bay and...

Speaker Heastie Statement on $3 Million in State Emergency Funding for Orange County

Last Tuesday, following the weekend’s storms and flooding, Assemblymember Chris Eachus invited me to Highland Falls to see firsthand the damage done to the region’s infrastructure, homes and local businesses. Over the course of the day, we had the...

Speaker Heastie Continues Statewide Tour in Suffolk County with Assemblymember Jean-Pierre

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Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour this week with Assemblymember Kimberly Jean-Pierre in Amityville, where they visited the Bolden Mack Basketball League. “Every year on my tour, I get the opportunity to see the great work being...

Speaker Heastie Joins Assemblymember Eachus to Visit Community Impacted by Devastating Flooding and Discuss Recovery Efforts

Pictured in the first photo with Speaker Heastie in Highland Falls is Orange County Legislator Laurie Tautel, Assemblymember Christopher Eachus and DHSES Commissioner Jackie Bray.
Speaker Carl Heastie today met with Assemblymember Christopher Eachus in Highland Falls to see firsthand the damage done by the weekend’s devastating storms and flooding, and to discuss the region’s recovery efforts. “This flooding will have long-term...

June 2023

Speaker Heastie Begins Annual Statewide Tour on Long Island

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Speaker Carl Heastie began his annual statewide tour today on Long Island, joining Assemblymember Steve Stern at the Huntington Highway Department to discuss the continued efforts to fund infrastructure in communities across the state. “The more we...

Speaker Heastie Statement on the Passing of Richard Ravitch

I am saddened to hear of the death of Richard Ravitch. His passing is a tremendous loss for our state. Richard’s long and storied career was wide-reaching – leaving his mark on state and federal policy, the MTA, and even Major League Baseball. He...

Assembly Passes Legislation Banning Non-Compete Agreements in New York

Speaker Carl Heastie and Labor Committee Chair Latoya Joyner today announced that statewide legislation protecting employees from being required to sign a non-compete agreement with their employer has passed both houses of the Legislature and will be...

Assembly Passes Bill To Protect Abortion and Reproductive Health Service Providers Using Telehealth

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Karines Reyes announced today that the Assembly has passed legislation to protect doctors, medical providers and facilitators serving patients seeking abortion and reproductive health services via telehealth (A.01709,...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Help Those Wrongfully Convicted Find Justice

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Jeffrion L. Aubry today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to help those wrongfully convicted seek justice and to vacate convictions of those who were convicted under statutes that were later decriminalized...

Speaker Heastie Statement on Senior Staff Appointment

I am pleased to announce that Rebecca Mudie will serve as counsel to the Majority of the New York State Assembly.Becca most recently served the Assembly as legislative counsel for Program and Policy. Prior to that, she was director of Intergovernmental...

The Assembly Passes Bill Protecting Employees Freedoms in the Workplace

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Karines Reyes announced today the passage of a bill to protect employees by prohibiting employers from coercing them into attending or participating in meetings sponsored by the employer’s political or religious...

Assembly Announces Passage of Bill Recognizing Diwali as a School Holiday in New York City Public Schools

Speaker Carl Heastie, Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar, and Asian Pacific American Task Force Co-Chairs Grace Lee and Zohran K. Mamdani announced today the passage of legislation declaring Diwali as a school holiday in New York City public schools requiring...

Assembly Announces Passage of Bill Recognizing Lunar New Year as a Public School Holiday

Speaker Carl Heastie, Assemblymember William Colton, Asian Pacific American Task Force Co-Chairs Grace Lee and Zohran K. Mamdani, and Asian Pacific American Task Force co-creator Ron Kim announced today the passage of legislation requiring public schools...

Assembly Passes Legislation Protecting Families and Doctors of Young People Receiving Gender-Affirming Care in New York State

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Harry Bronson today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation that would protect parents and guardians who come to New York so their children can receive gender-affirming care, and the healthcare practitioners...

Assembly Strengthens Provisions of the Birds and Bees Protection Act

Speaker Carl Heastie and Environmental Conservation Chair Deborah J. Glick today announced the Assembly has passed an updated version of the Birds and Bees Protection Act, which restricts the use of neonicotinoid pesticides (A.7640, Glick).  “Neonicotinoids...

Speaker Heastie and Advocates Applaud Historic Passage Of Clean Slate Act

Speaker Carl Heastie and advocates today applauded passage of the Clean Slate Act, legislation that will establish the automatic sealing of certain conviction records after a specific period of time for individuals that have completed their sentences...

New York State Legislature to Pass Clean Slate Act

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Legislature will pass the Clean Slate Act (S.7551-A/A.1029-C), which would establish the automatic sealing of certain conviction records after a specific...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Create the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies

Speaker Heastie and Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus Chair Michaelle C. Solages today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to create the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies to examine the impact...

Joint Statement from Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie

After months of deliberations both during and after the budget process, the Legislature was able to work toward an agreement on historic rent protections as well as a massive and transformational housing program, that includes: the Homeowner Protection...

May 2023

Speaker Heastie Statement on Recognizing Lunar New Year and Diwali in New York State

It is important to recognize New York’s rich and diverse culture. Therefore, it is the intention of the Assembly to pass legislation to observe Lunar New Year and Diwali as holidays in New York State before the close of our legislative session. We will...

Assembly Passes Legislation Honoring Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day

Speaker Carl Heastie and Committee on People with Disabilities Chair Rebecca A. Seawright today announced that the Assembly passed a package of legislation in honor of Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day to improve the lives of New Yorkers with disabilities....

SFY 2023-24 Budget Includes Historic $30 Million to Provide Critical Services for New York's AAPI Communities

Speaker Carl Heastie and Asian Pacific American Task Force Co-Chairs Grace Lee and Zohran K. Mamdani today announced that the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 Budget includes $30 million to support critical services for Asian American and Pacific...

Speaker Heastie Announces SFY 2023-24 Budget Includes Provisions to Make New York More Affordable for Families and Invest in Moving Our State Forward

Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today announced the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 Budget makes critical investments to help make New York more affordable for families. “The Assembly Majority is committed...

Enacted SFY 2023-24 Budget Includes Provisions to Reduce New York State's Reliance on Fossil Fuels

Speaker Carl Heastie and Energy Committee Chair Didi Barrett today announced that the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 Budget includes provisions to phase out the use of fossil fuels in new buildings and invest in new renewable energy projects...

SFY 2023-24 Enacted Budget Makes Critical Investments in the MTA and Statewide Infrastructure Improvements

Speaker Heastie, Transportation Committee Chair William B. Magnarelli and Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee Chair Kenneth Zebrowski today announced that the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 includes critical investments to the...

SFY 2023-24 Budget Includes $1.4 Billion for Distressed and Safety-Net Hospitals, Medicaid Rate Increases and Wage Increases for Home Health Care Workers

Speaker Carl Heastie and Health Committee Chair Amy Paulin today announced the enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 Budget includes $1.4 billion for distressed hospitals, Medicaid rate increases and wage increases for home health care workers. “The...

Approved SFY 2023-24 Budget Includes $34 Billion in School Aid

Speaker Carl Heastie and Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto today announced the approved State Fiscal Year (SFY) Budget will include $34 billion in General Support for Public Schools (GSPS), an increase of $3 billion, or 9.4 percent over the...

Enacted SFY 2023-24 Budget Keeps SUNY & CUNY Tuition Flat for New Yorkers and Invests $3 Billion in Capital Support for SUNY & CUNY Schools

Speaker Carl Heastie and Higher Education Committee Chair Patricia Fahy today announced the approved State Fiscal Year (SFY) Budget keeps the state’s public colleges and universities affordable and accessible, ensuring that tuition remains flat for...

April 2023

Assembly Passes Legislation to Deliver Protections for New Yorkers Affected by Lead-Based Paint

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the Assembly has passed legislation to protect renters in New York who are exposed to lead-based paint. “It is no secret that lead-based paint is dangerous, especially to children,” said Speaker Heastie. “This...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Help Keep Communities Near Railroads Clean

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the Assembly has passed legislation to safeguard communities neighboring railroads by ensuring that waste transferred by rail is properly contained (A.4928, Rajkumar). “Every New Yorker deserves to live in a safe...

Assembly Passes the Birds and Bees Protection Act

Speaker Carl Heastie and Environmental Conservation Chair Deborah J. Glick today announced the Assembly has passed the Birds and Bees Protection Act to restrict the use of neonicotinoid pesticides (A.3226, Glick). “From the Climate Leadership and Community...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Ensure SUNY and CUNY Students Have Access to Medication Abortion

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Harvey Epstein today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to ensure access to medication abortion to students attending public colleges and universities in New York State (A.1395-B, Epstein). “While...

Speaker Heastie Statement

Yesterday I was notified there was a shooting outside my district office. This is an ongoing investigation, and I don’t have all of the details. I was in Albany at the time of the shooting, but I am grateful for the safety of my staff and everyone else...

March 2023

Assembly Passes Legislation to Increase Access to Contraception

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Amy Paulin today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would increase access to self-administered hormonal contraceptives by allowing New York State pharmacists to execute a non-patient specific order...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Help Those Wrongfully Convicted Find Justice

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Jeffrion L. Aubrytoday announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to help those wrongly convicted seek justice, and to vacate convictions of those who were convicted under statutes that were later decriminalized...

Legislature Announces General Conference Committee Appointments

Assembly's $232.9 Billion Spending Plan Makes Critical Investments to Help Make New York State More Affordable for Families

Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today announced that the Assembly has passed the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 Budget. The $232.9 billion spending plan makes critical investments to make New York...

Assembly Budget Increases Funding for the Environmental Protection Fund to $435 Million

Speaker Carl Heastie and Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Deborah Glick today announced the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 Budget increases funding for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) by $35 million for a total allocation of...

Assembly SFY 2023-24 Budget Includes All Electric Building Provisions and $400 Million to Expand Energy Affordability Programs

Speaker Carl Heastie and Energy Committee Chair Didi Barrett today announced the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 Budget includes provisions to phase out the use of fossil fuels in new buildings and invest in programs designed to increase energy...

Speaker Heastie Statement on Raising the Minimum Wage

No one working full time should be living in poverty, which is why my colleagues and I in the Assembly Majority have consistently fought to raise the minimum wage. In this year’s state budget, we are once again committed to raising the minimum wage...

Assembly's Proposed SFY 2023-24 Spending Plan Makes Critical Investments in Medicaid and Public Health

Speaker Carl Heastie and Health Committee Chair Amy Paulin today announced the Assembly’s proposed State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 spending plan would add $2.7 billion in funding to the Medicaid Program and $110 million in funding for public health....

Assembly Budget Includes Critical Funding for Legal Support for New Yorkers & Programs to Combat Gun Violence

Speaker Carl Heastie and Codes Committee Chair Jeffrey Dinowitz today announced that the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 Budget includes critical investments in legal support services for New Yorkers, in discovery in court proceedings and anti-gun...

Assembly SFY 2023-24 Budget Includes $34 Billion in School Aid

Speaker Carl Heastie and Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto today announced the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 Budget would provide $34.3 billion in funding to General Support for Public Schools (GSPS), an increase of $3 billion...

Assembly SFY 2023-24 Budget Makes Higher Education More Affordable and Accessible

Speaker Carl Heastie and Higher Education Committee Chair Patricia Fahy today announced the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 Budget ensures that higher education is affordable and accessible to all New Yorkers by making investments that prevent...

Assembly Budget Invests in Fighting Homelessness, Ending the Housing Crisis, Making Homeownership a Reality for New Yorkers

Speaker Carl Heastie, Housing Committee Chair Linda B. Rosenthal and Local Governments Committee Chair Fred W. Thiele, Jr. today announced that the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 Budget makes critical investments in fighting homelessness, ending...

Assembly Passes Legislative Package in Honor of National Sunshine Week

Speaker Carl Heastie and Governmental Operations Committee Chair John T. McDonald III today marked the nationwide observance of Sunshine Week with the passage of a package of legislation designed to bring greater transparency, accountability and accessibility...

Legislature Elects New Member and Re-elects Two Members to Board of Regents

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senate and Assembly Education Committee Chairs Shelley B. Mayer and Michael Benedetto, and Senate and Assembly Higher Education Committee Chairs Toby Ann Stavisky and Patricia...

August 2022

Speaker Heastie Continues Annual Statewide Tour with Assemblymember Gunther to Announce $1.7 Million in Assembly Investments in Sullivan and Orange Counties

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Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Sullivan and Orange Counties, joining Assemblymember Aileen Gunther to announce $1 million for public safety in Middletown and Wallkill, and $700,000 for Sullivan County Community College’s...

Speaker Heastie Announces Establishment of Great Lakes Watershed Task Force

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the creation of a Great Lakes Watershed Task Force to be chaired by Assemblyman Patrick Burke. The task force will examine economic development and environmental issues unique to communities in the Great Lakes watershed....

Speaker Heastie Joins Assemblymember Barrett on Statewide Tour to Announce $1 Million Investment for Construction Technology Center at CGCC

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Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today, joining Assemblymember Didi Barrett at Columbia-Greene Community College (CGCC) to announce a $1 million investment to expand their Construction Technology Center. “The Assembly Majority...

Speaker Heastie Continues Statewide Tour with Assemblymember Jones to Announce $1.3 Million Investment in Plattsburgh YMCA

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Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today, joining Assemblymember Billy Jones at the site of the future upgraded YMCA facility in Plattsburgh to announce a $1.3 million investment in the project. “The YMCA is a critical resource...

Speaker Heastie Continues Statewide Tour, Joining Assemblymember Lupardo to Announce a $1.3 Million Investment in Broome-Tioga BOCES

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Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide, joining Assemblymember Donna Lupardo in Binghamton to announce a $1.3 million investment that would enable Broome-Tioga BOCES to develop a trades complex for training heavy equipment operators,...

Speaker Heastie Continues Statewide Tour in Mechanicville to Announce $1 Million Investment in Local Community Center

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Speaker Carl Heastie continued his statewide tour today with Assemblymember Carrie Woerner at Mechanicville Elementary School to join kids from Mechanicville Area Community Services Center (MACSC) for ice cream and to announce a $1 million investment...

Speaker Heastie Announces $1.1 Million for Rotterdam Emergency Medical Services on Annual Statewide Tour

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Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Rotterdam, joining Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara to announce $1.1 million in state funding for Rotterdam Emergency Medical Services, Inc. (REMS) and to announce REMS Executive Director...

Speaker Heastie Joins Assemblymember Steck on Statewide Tour to Announce $2 Million Investment in Affordable Senior Housing

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Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today, joining Assemblymember Phil Steck at Colonie Senior Service Center to announce a $2 million investment that will support the King Thiel II affordable senior housing facility. “This tour...

Speaker Heastie Continues Statewide Tour with Assemblymember Burke to Announce Funding for School Safety

Pictured with Speaker Heastie at West Seneca West Senior High School is Assemblymember Burke, West Seneca West Senior High School officials, Orchard Park School officials and local law enforcement.
Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour by joining Assemblymember Patrick Burke in West Seneca to announce a $1 million investment in school safety for West Seneca and Orchard Park Schools. “Today’s stop on my annual statewide...

Speaker Heastie Announces $3.5 Million in State Funding for the Belle Center and the Hispanic Heritage Cultural Institute of Western New York on Annual Statewide Tour

Pictured with Speaker Heastie at the Belle Center are Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera and representatives of the Belle Center and the Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY.
Speaker Carl Heastie today, on his annual statewide tour, joined Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera to announce $1.5 million in funding for the Hispanic Heritage Cultural Institute of Western New York, as well as $2 million for the Belle Center to allow them...

Speaker Heastie Joins Assemblymember Wallace in Lancaster to Announce Funding for Feasibility Study on New Bike Path

Pictured in photo with Speaker Heastie (left to right) is Assemblymember Wallace and Village of Lancaster Mayor Lynne Ruda.
Speaker Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour, joining Assemblymember Monica Wallace to announce an Assembly investment of $50,000 for a feasibility study to connect existing bike trails between Lancaster and Cheektowaga, along with an additional...

Speaker Heastie Joins Assemblymember Conrad on Summer Tour to Announce $1 Million Assembly Investment in Splash Park in Town of Tonawanda

Pictured in the first photo with Speaker Heastie at Brighton Park is Assemblymember Conrad.
Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his statewide tour by joining Assemblymember Bill Conrad in the Town of Tonawanda to announce a $1 million investment for a new splash park at the Brighton Recreation Complex. “This year’s statewide tour has allowed...

Speaker Heastie Continues Statewide Tour, Announcing $1 Million for an Inclusive Playground in Amherst

Pictured with Speaker Heastie at Amherst Town Hall is Assemblymember Karen McMahon and Members of the Amherst Town Board.
Speaker Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Erie County, and together with Assemblymember Karen McMahon, announced $1 million in state funding to build an inclusive playground in Amherst Central Park.  “Every child should have a place...

Speaker Heastie Continues Annual Statewide Tour in Oneida County, Announces $1 Million for The House of the Good Shepherd

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Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his statewide tour, joining Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon to announce $1 million for renovations and expansions for The House of the Good Shepherd, which provides treatment, education and support services to...

Speaker Heastie Continues Annual Statewide Tour in Onondaga County, Announcing $1 Million for New AccessCNY Center to Help Children with Disabilities

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Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Cicero, where he and Assemblymember Al Stirpe announced $1 million in state funds for AccessCNY to build a new center, which will help address the needs of children and young adults with...

Speaker Heastie Announces $1 Million for Perinton Park Skatepark on Annual Statewide Tour

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Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Monroe County, joining Assemblymember Jen Lunsford to announce $1 million in state funding for the construction of a skatepark in Perinton Park. “Every year my tour allows me to visit...

July 2022

Speaker Heastie Joins Assemblymember Stern to Announce $1 Million Investment in Health Center for Huntington Station

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Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour, joining Assemblymember Steve Stern at the Dolan Family Health Center in Huntington Station, Long Island to announce a $1 million investment in a new state-of-the-art health center that will...

Statement from Speaker Heastie

In response to Mayor Adam’s request for a special session, we don't think it is necessary. The three types of crimes referenced by the mayor are bail eligible and detention can be sought in family court under current law.

Public Comment Period Open for Speaker Heastie's Nominees to the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the public comment period is open on his intended nominees to the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government. Public comments on the nominations can be submitted here. The public has seven days to comment...

Speaker Heastie Continues Statewide Tour on Long Island, Announcing $550,000 to build Special Needs Park in Rockville Centre

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Speaker Heastie today continued his statewide tour, joining Assemblymember Judy Griffin at the Rockville Centre Recreation Center to announce $550,000 to complete Mr. B’s Inclusive playground and make needed infrastructure improvements to the surrounding...

Speaker Heastie Continues Statewide Tour on Long Island, Visits Stony Brook Cancer Center

Pictured in the first photo with Speaker Heastie at Stony Brook Cancer Center is (from left to right): Dr. Yusuf Hannun, Assemblymember Steve Englebright, Dr. Harold Paz and Dr. Brian O’Hea.
Speaker Heastie continued his statewide tour today on Long Island with Assemblymember Steve Englebright. The two toured the Stony Brook University Cancer Center (SBCC), which was awarded a $1 million state grant, and met with members of the Gordon Heights...

Speaker Heastie Announces Appointees to Newly Established Legislative Commission on the Future of LIPA

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that he has appointed Assemblymembers Fred W. Thiele, Jr., Stacey Pheffer Amato and Judy Griffin to serve on the Legislative Commission on the Future of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). Assemblymember Theile...

Speaker Heastie Continues Statewide Tour in Suffolk County to Announce $1 Million Investment in YMCA in Wyandanch

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Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today with Assemblymember Kimberly Jean-Pierre in the hamlet of Wyandanch on Long Island. Together they visited the future site of the Wyandanch YMCA and announced the Assembly’s $1 million investment...

Speaker Heastie Announces Nominees to Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that he intends to nominate Robert E. Torres and Leonard B. Austin to the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government. “Mr. Torres and Mr. Austin are experienced jurists that will make them assets on the Commission...

Speaker Heastie Kicks off Annual Statewide Tour in Nassau County, Announced $1 Million for New Ambulance Unit

Pictured with Speaker Heastie is Assemblymember Sillitti, Manhasset-Lakeville Fire and Water District Commissioners Steve Flynn, Brian Morris and Mark Sauvigne, and members of the ambulance unit.
Speaker Carl Heastie kicked off his annual statewide tour today in Nassau County with Assemblymember Gina Sillitti. Together they visited property owned by the Manhasset-Lakeville Water and Fire District, where Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember Sillitti...

Speaker Heastie Statement on the Equality Amendment

The Supreme Court has failed women and it has failed to protect the rights of Americans. But New York will not. Passing the Equality Amendment is the first step to ensuring that protections for women’s reproductive health care and equal rights for all...

Speaker Heastie Statement on Passage of Legislation to Protect New Yorkers from Gun Violence

Today, the Assembly Majority passed legislation to assure New Yorkers that despite the dangerous and disturbing decision by the Supreme Court to dismantle our more than 100-year-old sensible concealed carry law, we will not accept tragedies like the racist...

June 2022

Speaker Heastie Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Overturn Nearly 50 Years of Precedent of Roe v. Wade

This is a horrifying step backwards for our country, and an attack on women, their bodily autonomy and their ability to make potentially lifesaving health care decisions. For years when the Assembly Majority fought to pass the Reproductive Health Act,...

Speaker Heastie Statement on the Supreme Court Decision to Severely Limit States Rights to Prohibit Carrying Guns in Public

Today’s Supreme Court decision is a devastating blow to Americans across the country who are tired of living in constant fear of gun violence. Like every constitutional right, the right to keep and bear arms is not absolute. This Supreme Court appears...

Speaker Heastie Statement on Build Public Renewables Act

The Assembly Majority has long championed environmental issues to ensure a cleaner future for our residents. This session alone we took the lead on passing a new Environmental Quality Bond Act, enacting a landmark first-in-the-nation crypto mining moratorium...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Incentivize Semiconductor Production in New York

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Al Stirpe today announced the Assembly has passed the Green CHIPS bill, which would incentivize semiconductor manufacturers to build new factories in New York State by making them eligible for the Excelsior Jobs...

Assembly Announces Passage of Alyssa's Law

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Kenneth P. Zebrowski today announced that the Assembly has passed Alyssa’s Law, which would require school districts to consider installing panic alarm systems (A.10018, Zebrowski). “Schools should be a safe...

Assembly Passes New York Collegiate Athletic Participation Compensation Act

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages today announced that the Assembly has passed the New York Collegiate Athletic Participation Compensation Act, legislation that will ensure that student-athletes can receive compensation for...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Increase Number of Supreme Court & Family Court Judges

Speaker Carl Heastie and Judiciary Committee Chair Charles D. Lavine today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to increase the number of supreme court judges and family court judges (A.10505, Lavine). “The Assembly Majority is committed...

Assembly Passes the Digital Fair Repair Act

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Patricia Fahy today announced that the Assembly has passed the Digital Fair Repair Act, which would give consumers and independent repair shops the ability to repair their cell phones, computers and other personal...

Assembly Announces Passage of Legislation to Reduce Class Sizes and Extend Mayoral Control of the New York City School District

Speaker Carl Heastie and Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto today announced the Assembly has passed legislation to extend mayoral control of the New York City School District and provide greater parental participation and accountability in relation...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Protect Reproductive Health Service Providers and Safeguard the Right to Access Abortion Services in New York

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Assembly has passed a package of legislation to protect reproductive health care providers from interstate investigations for care that was performed lawfully in New York, and to ensure that New York remains...

Assembly Passes Package of Legislation to Strengthen State's Gun Laws and Protect New York Communities

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Assembly has passed a package of legislation to strengthen New York State’s gun laws, and help keep New Yorkers safe in their schools, places of worship and in their communities. “The horrific mass shootings...

Assembly Passes John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Election Law Committee Chair Latrice Walker today announced that the Assembly has passed the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York to codify and strengthen the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 into state law (A.6678-E,...

Legislature Elects New Member to Board of Regents

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senate and Assembly Education Committee Chairs Shelley Mayer and Michael Benedetto, and Senate and Assembly Higher Education Committee Chairs Toby Ann Stavisky and Deborah...

Assembly Passes Advanced Building Codes, Appliance and Equipment Efficiency Standards Act of 2022

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Patricia Fahy today announced that the Assembly has passed the Advanced Building Codes, Appliance and Equipment Efficiency Standards Act of 2022, legislation to increase the state’s appliance efficiency standards,...

Assembly Passes New York State Living Donor Support Act

Speaker Carl Heastie and Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried today announced the Assembly has passed the New York State Living Donor Support Act to encourage living organ donation through financial support and educational initiatives (A.146-A,...

May 2022

Speaker Heastie Statement on Robb Elementary School Shooting

I am absolutely devastated to learn that another mass shooting has occurred in this country. We have been here too many times before. Less than a week ago, we gathered to memorialize the people shot at a grocery store in Buffalo. Our nation is yet again...

Assembly Passes the Adult Survivors Act

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal today announced the Assembly passed the Adult Survivors Act to ensure that adult survivors of sexual assault who were previously time barred from civil action are able seek justice in court (A.648-A,...

Speaker Heastie Statement on Illinois House Speaker Welch's Visit to Albany

Tomorrow, my Assembly Majority colleagues and I will have the pleasure of welcoming my friend and counterpart from Illinois, Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch, to the People’s House in Albany. Speaker Welch will also be joined by Illinois House Representatives...

Assembly to Pass Legislative Package in Observance of Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day

Speaker Carl Heastie and People with Disabilities Committee Chair Thomas J. Abinanti today announced that the Assembly will pass a package of bills that would improve the lives of New Yorkers with disabilities, including giving them better access to services,...

Speaker Heastie Statement on the Leaked Supreme Court Ruling to Overturn Roe v. Wade

Reports that the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to dismantle the rights of women and undermine nearly 50 years of precedent established by Roe v. Wade are deeply disturbing. If these reports are true, it would mark a tremendous step backward for our country...

April 2022

Assembly Passes Legislation to Celebrate Earth Day, Reduce Emissions in New York State and Support Conservation Efforts

Speaker Carl Heastie and Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Steve Englebright today announced that the Assembly this week passed a package of legislation in honor of Earth Day, including a resolution celebrating the 52nd Earth Day and legislation...

Speaker Heastie Announces Enacted Budget Invests in N.Y. Families

Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today announced that the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget makes critical investments in programs that will help New York families to meet the challenge of inflation...

Assembly Announces Enacted Budget Makes Critical Investments in Quality, Affordable Housing Across New York State

Speaker Carl Heastie and Housing Committee Chair Steven Cymbrowitz today announced that the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget invests in affordable housing programs and keeps New Yorkers that struggled financially during the pandemic in...

Approved SFY 2022-23 Budget Includes Historic $31.2 Billion Investment in School Aid

Speaker Carl Heastie and Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto today announced the approved State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget will include $31.2 billion in funding to General Support for Public Schools (GSPS), an increase of $2.1 billion, or...

Assembly Announces SFY 2022-23 Budget Includes $20.2 Billion in Funding for Higher Education

Speaker Carl Heastie and Higher Education Committee Chair Deborah J. Glick today announced the approved State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget includes funding critical for higher education programs that are accessible and affordable for New York students....

Budget Invests in the Arts, Building Back New York's Economy

Speaker Carl Heastie; Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry Chair Harry B. Bronson; and Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development Committee Chair Daniel J. O’Donnell today announced that the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23...

Assembly Announces Approved SFY 2022-23 Budget Invests $7 Billion over Four Years in Childcare

Speaker Carl Heastie and Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi today announced that the approved State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget makes unprecedented investments in children and families, including $7 billion over four years to expand...

Speaker Heastie Statement on Budget Agreement

My Assembly Majority colleagues and I know that our state’s economic recovery depends on the success of New York’s working families. We know that now, more than ever, New Yorkers are struggling with the rising cost of groceries, housing, higher education,...

Speaker Heastie Statement on the Confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court

Congratulations to Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on her historic confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court. For our country’s institutions to work, they must reflect the people they serve, all the way up to the highest court in the land. Judge Ketanji Brown...

March 2022

Assembly Passes Legislation to Increase Access to Affordable Childcare

Speaker Carl Heastie and Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi today announced the Assembly has passed two bills that would increase access to affordable childcare for families in New York. “Families across the state have struggled to...

Assembly and Senate Announce General Conference Committee Appointments

2022 General Budget Conference Committee Assembly Senate Carl E. Heastie (Co-Chair) Andrea Stewart-Cousins (Co-Chair) Helene Weinstein Liz Krueger Crystal Peoples-Stokes Michael Gianaris Phil Ramos José Serrano Jeffrion...

Assembly Releases $226.4 Billion Spending Plan that Invests in New York's Families

Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today released the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-2023 Budget Proposal of $226.4 billion. The Assembly’s spending plan aims to support New York’s families as we...

Assembly Budget Makes $14 Billion Investment in Transportation Operating and Infrastructure Across New York State

Speaker Carl Heastie, Transportation Committee Chair William B. Magnarelli, and Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee Chair Amy Paulin today announced that the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget will invest $14 billion in the...

Assembly SFY 2022-23 Budget Invests in Small Businesses and the Arts, Building Back New York's Economy

Speaker Carl Heastie; Small Business Committee Chair Al Stirpe; Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry Chair Harry B. Bronson; and Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development Committee Chair Daniel J. O’Donnell today announced that...

Assembly and Senate Announce General Conference Committee

Legislature to convene General Budget Conference Committee meeting today at 6:00p.m.The hearingwill be conducted virtually using web-based video conferencing at https://www.nysenate.gov/events and https://www.nyassembly.gov/av/live/.2022General Budget...

Assembly SFY 2022-23 Spending Plan Includes Critical Investments in Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services

Speaker Carl Heastie, Mental Health Committee Chair Aileen Gunther and Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee Chair Phil Steck today announced that the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget includes critical investments to improve access to mental...

Assembly Budget Makes Critical Health Investments

Speaker Carl Heastie and Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried today announced the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget would make critical health investments that protect vulnerable individuals, including undocumented immigrants, pregnant...

Assembly Budget Includes Critical Funding for Pretrial Services & Programs to Fight Gun Violence

Speaker Carl Heastie and Codes Committee Chair Jeffrey Dinowitz today announced that the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget includes critical funding for pretrial services that offer mental health treatment and other alternatives to incarceration,...

Assembly Budget Includes $2 Billion Dollar Increase to Environmental Bond Act to Address Climate Change

Speaker Carl Heastie and Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Steve Englebright today announced the Assembly's 2022-2023 State Fiscal Year (SFY) Budget increases funding for the Environmental Bond Act of 2022 by $2 billion to be allocated for climate...

Assembly Budget Invests $21.6 Billion in Higher Education, Including Increased Funding for Opportunity Programs

Speaker Carl Heastie and Higher Education Committee Chair Deborah J. Glick today announced the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget makes investments to ensure higher education is accessible for all New York students by funding the State...

Assembly SFY 2022-23 Budget Includes $30.9 Billion in School Aid

Speaker Carl Heastie and Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto today announced the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget would provide $30.9 billion in funding to General Support for Public Schools (GSPS), an increase of $2.1 billion...

Assembly Budget Makes Critical Investments in Quality, Affordable Housing Across New York State

Assembly Budget Makes Critical Investments in Quality, Affordable Housing Across New York StateSpending Plan Includes $1.25 billion in Rental Relief for those Financially Impacted by Pandemic Through ERAP Speaker Carl Heastie and Housing Committee Chair...

Assembly SFY 2022-23 Budget Invests over $3 Billion in Childcare

Speaker Carl Heastie and Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi today announced that the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget includes over $3 billion for childcare and makes critical investments in preventative services that help...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Address Racial Disparities in Traffic Stops

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to address racial disparities in traffic stops by reducing the number of traffic stops for minor, nonmoving violations such as stickers on vehicle windows and objects placed...

Legislature Elects New Member and Re-elects Two Members to Board of Regents

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senate and Assembly Education Committee Chairs Shelley Mayer and Michael Benedetto, and Assembly Higher Education Committee Chair Deborah Glick today announced the Legislature’s...

January 2022

Joint Statement from Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie

The statutory deadline for the Independent Redistricting Commission to submit congressional and state legislative maps has passed. As per the New York State Constitution, it becomes the Legislature’s responsibility to consider fair maps that ensure...

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie

I am saddened to learn of the passing of former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. He was a fighter for his constituents and his work to rebuild lower Manhattan after the terrible events of 9/11 will never be forgotten. I will remember Shelly for his many...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Ensure New Yorkers Can Vote Absentee During Ongoing Pandemic

Speaker Carl Heastie, Election Law Committee Chair Latrice Walker and Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would allow New Yorkers to vote by absentee ballot if there is a risk of contracting or spreading...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Ensure Rape Survivors Receive Justice

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Catalina Cruz today announced the Assembly has passed legislation to redefine the state’s rape statutes to ensure that victims of nonconsensual sexual conduct are able to seek more appropriate justice. “For...

Legislature Announces 2022 Joint Legislative Budget Hearing Schedule

Senate Finance Committee Chair Liz Krueger and Assembly Ways and Means Committee Chair, Helene E. Weinstein today announced the Joint Legislative Hearing Schedule on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 Executive Budget Proposal. These hearings, each of which...

Speaker Heastie Announces Assemblymember Zebrowski Appointed Temporary Co-Chair of LATFOR

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that Assemblymember Kenneth Zebrowski has been appointed to be the temporary co-chair of the Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment (LATFOR). “The results of reapportionment will determine...

Speaker Heastie Statement on the State of the State Address

I am proud that Governor Hochul returned the State of the State address to the People’s House. It has been two years since New York became the epicenter of this global health crisis, and – evidenced by my own positive COVID-19 test – we are not...

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie

As part of the governor’s safety protocols prior to today’s State of the State message, I underwent two rapid COVID-19 tests which did not come back clear. I am now awaiting results from a follow up PCR test. I get tested routinely, and most recently...

September 2021

Speaker Heastie Continues Annual Statewide Tour with Stops in Rochester and Onondaga County

Pictured in the first photo with Speaker Heastie at the Lexington Avenue Farm is (from left to right) Foodlink Chief Program Officer and City Councilman Mitch Gruber and Assemblymember Sarah Clark
Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour with stops at Special Touch Bakery and the Lexington Avenue Community Garden in Rochester with Assemblymember Sarah Clark, and the White Pine Commerce Park and the North Syracuse Early Education...

Speaker Heastie's Statewide Tour Continues in Buffalo

Speaker Heastie is pictured in the first photo at Fowler’s Chocolates Factory Headquarters.
Speaker Heastie today continued his statewide tour with Assemblymembers William Conrad and Jon Rivera in Buffalo. The trip included a tour of Fowler’s Chocolates Factory Headquarters, tire manufacturer Sumitomo Rubber USA and a stop at the Hispanic...

Speaker Heastie Continues Statewide Tour in Western New York

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Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Western New York with Assemblymembers Jennifer Lunsford and Demond Meeks, taking a walking tour of the village of Fairport and touring Heritage Christian Services in Penfield and East High...

Speaker Heastie Statement on the 20th Anniversary of the September 11th Attack

Twenty years ago, our nation experienced one of the most devastating attacks in U.S. history that took the lives of nearly 3,000 people. For New Yorkers, the events that unfolded that day shook us to our core and overwhelmed us with a shared sense of...

Speaker Heastie Announces Appointment of Adam W. Perry to the Cannabis Control Board

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that he has appointed Adam W. Perry to serve on the Cannabis Control Board. “As we create the mechanisms and regulations around the new legal cannabis industry, it is critical that we have people involved that are...

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie

I was informed today that Assemblymembers Charles Fall and Inez Dickens have tested positive for COVID-19. Both have been vaccinated and are currently quarantining. We are now in the process of reaching out to other members and staff that they may have...

Speaker Heastie Announces New Leadership Positions

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the following leadership appointments:  Chair, Majority Steering Rebecca A. Seawright Chair, Banks Patricia Fahy Chair, Task Force on Women's Issues          Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn “I...

Assembly to Pass Legislation to Extend Eviction & Foreclosure Moratoriums, Ensure New Yorkers Have Access to Critical Rental Assistance

Speaker Carl Heastie, Codes Committee Chair Jeffrey Dinowitz and Housing Committee Chair Steven Cymbrowitz today announced that the Assembly will pass critical legislation that will extend the residential and commercial eviction and foreclosure moratoriums...

August 2021

Speaker Heastie Continues Statewide Tour on Long Island

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Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour on Long Island with Assemblymember Steve Stern, touring Huntington Station and then visiting Farmingdale State College, where they met with Farmingdale State College President John Nader and...

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie

Today, we have sworn in the first woman to serve as governor of New York. From State Senate majority leader to state attorney general to vice president of the United States, we continue to see women rise through the ranks of government, and it is a welcome...

Speaker Heastie Begins Annual Statewide Tour in Cortland and Tompkins Counties with Assemblymember Kelles

Pictured in the second photo with Speaker Heastie at the Learning Farm: Assemblymember Anna Kelles(bottom left), the Learning Farm cofounder Christa Núñez (top right) .
Speaker Heastie today began his annual statewide tour, joining Assemblymember Anna Kelles in touring Main Street in Cortland and meeting with the REACH Project, Inc Medical Director Dr. Justine Waldman, as well as touring the Learning Farm in Ithaca....

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie and Assembly Judiciary Chair Charles Lavine

The Assembly Judiciary Committee will continue to review evidence and issue a final report on its investigation of Governor Cuomo. In doing so, the committee will take all appropriate steps to ensure that this effort does not interfere with various ongoing...

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie on Impeachment Investigation

After consulting with Chair Lavine and my majority colleagues, the Assembly will suspend its impeachment investigation upon the governor’s resignation taking effect on August 25. There are two reasons for this decision. First, the purpose of the Assembly...

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie

This has been a tragic chapter in our state's history. Governor Cuomo's resignation is the right decision.The brave women who stepped forward were heard. Everyone deserves to work in a harassment free environment.I have spoken with Lieutenant Governor...

The Remarks of Speaker Carl E. Heastie Following the Judiciary Committee Meeting on the Impeachment Investigation into Governor Cuomo

August 9, 2021Legislative Office BuildingAlbany___________________________________[as prepared] Good afternoon.On March 1st, the attorney general was authorized to undertake an independent investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Governor...

Speaker Heastie Statement on the Passing of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka

It is with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. Richard dedicated his life to fighting for working people. His passing is a tremendous loss to my union brothers and sisters, but his legacy has undoubtedly changed...

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie

After our conference this afternoon to discuss the Attorney General's report concerning sexual harassment allegations against Governor Cuomo, it is abundantly clear to me that the Governor has lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority and...

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie on Attorney General's Report

We have received the Attorney General's 168 page report containing findings of sexual harassment and misconduct committed by Governor Cuomo. The findings contained in the report are disturbing. The details provided by the victims are gut-wrenching. Our...

July 2021

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie

The recent spike in the COVID-19 pandemic shows that we still have more work to do in order to overcome this terrible health crisis. In order to ensure the safety of the public and our employees, and consistent with CDC and state guidance, the Assembly...

Assembly to Hold Hearing on the Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Speaker Carl Heastie, Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein, Housing Committee Chair Steven Cymbrowitz and Social Services Committee Chair Linda B. Rosenthal today announced the Assembly will hold a hearing on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 to...

Federal Government Began Disbursement of Monthly Child Tax Credits This Week

This week, the federal government began the disbursement of monthly Child Tax Credit payments that were included in the American Rescue Plan Act passed by Congress earlier this year. Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene Weinstein...

Assembly Passes the Soil Health and Climate Resiliency Act

Speaker Carl Heastie and Agriculture Committee Chair Donna Lupardo today announced the Assembly has passed the Soil Health and Climate Resiliency Act to enhance and maintain the health of soil on farms to improve productivity for farmers, protect natural...

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie

In its never ending quest to degrade public discourse, the New York Post's editorial board today reached a new low, if that is even possible. Using racist dog whistle language to make an inaccurate point about an issue which I am not even involved with...

Assembly Continues Working to Ensure Small Businesses Keep Critical Grant Funding to Aid in COVID-19 Recovery

Speaker Carl Heastie, Small Business Committee Chair Al Stirpe and Assemblymember Erik Dilan today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to help small businesses across New York by ensuring that grants from the COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business...

Assembly Passes Public Health Measure to Reduce the Spread of Blood Borne Diseases

Speaker Carl Heastie and Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried today announced the Assembly has passed legislation to decriminalize the possession and sale of hypodermic needles and syringes to reduce the spread of blood borne diseases, most notably...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Establish the Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation that would create the state Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate to represent residential utility consumers’ interests in residential and utility matters at the state and...

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie

Addressing climate change continues to be a top priority for the Assembly Majority. The adoption of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) in 2019 was an important first step in establishing climate and equity requirements, but we...

June 2021

Statement from Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie

The Assembly Majority has passed a number of important voting reforms to strengthen our electoral system and provide easier access to all New Yorkers. The situation regarding the tabulation issues in New York City is extremely concerning, and we are closely...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Improve Water Quality in Schools

Speaker Carl Heastie and Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would improve drinking water quality in schools by strengthening water testing requirements, including increasing the frequency...

Speaker Heastie Statement on the Sentencing of Derek Chauvin

The murder of George Floyd was a tragedy, one that became a rallying cry and a call to action across our country. Today, Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22 and half years in prison for his murder. I hope that today’s sentencing brings George Floyd’s...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Hold Out of State Businesses Engaged in Improper Conduct Financially and Legally Accountable in New York

Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today announced that the Assembly passed legislation that would help New York businesses by holding out of state business to the same standards as those headquartered in New York....

Assembly Passes Package of Critical Consumer Credit Protection Legislation

Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today announced the Assembly passed a comprehensive package of consumer credit protection legislation. “The Assembly Majority has long been committed to protecting the rights...

Assembly Passes Sweeping Legislative Package to Address Discriminatory Real Estate Practices

Speaker Carl Heastie and Housing Committee Chair Steven Cymbrowitz today announced the Assembly has passed a comprehensive package of legislation addressing discrimination in the real estate industry. In 1968, the federal Fair Housing Act was passed to...

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie on the End of 2021 Session

During one of the toughest times in our history, the New York State Assembly rose to the occasion to meet the challenges we faced. This session we passed groundbreaking legislation and delivered a historic budget that met the needs of New Yorkers during...

Assembly Passes the Gender Recognition Act

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Daniel J. O’Donnell today announced that the Assembly has passed the Gender Recognition Act. This bill would ensure that government documents reflect transgender, nonbinary and intersex individuals’ identities....

Assembly Passes Legislation to Speed up the Canvassing of Absentee Ballots in New York State and Ensure Every Valid Ballot Counts

Speaker Carl Heastie, Election Law Committee Chair Latrice Walker and Assemblymember Robert C. Carroll today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation that will streamline the process for canvassing absentee, military, special and affidavit ballots,...

Assembly Passes Make Voting Easy Act Expanding the Number of Early-Voting Sites in New York State

Speaker Carl Heastie, Election Law Committee Chair Latrice Walker and Assemblymember Al Taylor today announced the passage of the Make Voting Easy Act, significantly expanding early voting sites throughout the state and increasing the hours polling sites...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Reduce Recidivism and Promote Successful Reintegration After Incarceration

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would ensure individuals have the support they need to reenter the community after incarceration and successfully complete their community supervision. “Successful reintegration...

New York's COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program to Begin Accepting Applications

Speaker Carl Heastie, Small Business Committee Chair Al Stirpe and Economic Development Committee Chair Harry Bronson announced today that New York will begin accepting grant applications for its COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Support Gun Violence Research in New York State

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to create the Firearm Violence Research Institute and the Gun Violence Research Fund, and allow taxpayers to make contributions to...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Create Opioid Settlement Fund

Speaker Carl Heastie, Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee Chair Phil Steck and Assemblymember Carrie Woerner today announced that the Assembly passed legislation to create the Opioid Settlement Fund, which will ensure that funding obtained from settlements...

Senate and Assembly to Pass The Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the Legislature will advance legislation to enact the Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act. This legislation will allow the state to finance the purchase...

Assembly to Pass Comprehensive Package of Legislation to Protect New Yorkers from Gun Violence

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Assembly will pass a comprehensive package of commonsense gun safety legislation. Included in the legislative package are bills that would ban ghost guns, hold the gun industry liable for damages it causes,...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Continue to Allow Outdoor Dining On Sidewalks and Streets

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Patricia Fahy today announced the passage of legislation that would allow restaurants to continue to use streets and sidewalks for outdoor dining for an additional year as they work towards recovery from the COVID-19...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Ensure that All Vietnam War Veterans are Recognized

Speaker Carl Heastie and Veterans' Affairs Committee Chair Didi Barrett today announced the passage of legislation that would change the beginning date of the Vietnam War from February 28, 1961 to November 1, 1955, to coincide with the date used by the...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Make Forging Immunization Records a Felony

Speaker Carl Heastie and Codes Committee Chair Jeffrey Dinowitz today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would confirm that forging proof of immunization is a felony (A.7536, Dinowitz). “It is beyond comprehension that after the horror...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Expand Protections in the Child Marriage Law, Making 18 the Age of Consent to Marry

Speaker Carl Heastie, Judiciary Committee Chair Charles D. Lavine and Assemblymember Phil Ramos today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation that builds on a 2017 law that prohibited marriage by young teenagers, but allowed 17 year olds to...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Advance Transparency in Grand Jury Proceedings

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Daniel O’Donnell today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would facilitate additional involvement of the court and increase transparency in grand jury proceedings (A.5845, O’Donnell). “When...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Protect Immigrants from Coercion and Extortion

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Michaelle Solages today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would include making threats to report a person’s immigration status or cause deportation/removal proceedings a form of extortion or coercion...

May 2021

Assembly Passes Legislation Establishing Nourish New York Program

Speaker Carl Heastie, Agriculture Committee Chair Donna Lupardo and Assemblymember Catalina Cruz today announced the Assembly has passed legislation to establish the Nourish New York program in law, which connects surplus agricultural products with food...

Speaker Heastie Announces Continuation of Assembly Workgroup on Sexual Harassment

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the continuation of the Assembly Workgroup on Sexual Harassment and announced new members to the group. The members will review issues on workplace discrimination and identify ways to ensure the safety of all employees....

Speaker Heastie Statement

George Floyd’s murder a year ago today was a personal tragedy for his family and friends who continue to grieve his loss. The protests that were held across the country and the world in the weeks and months following his death spurred action. We saw...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Enter New York into SNAP Restaurant Meals Program

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Karines Reyes today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would enter New York State into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) (A.1524, Reyes). The program...

Assembly Passes Legislative Package in Observance of Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day

Speaker Carl Heastie, Minority Leader William Barclay today announced the Assembly will commemorate May 24, 2021 as the annual Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day (K.324, Abinanti). In honor of Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day, the Assembly...

Speaker Heastie Names Two Members to the Selection Committee for First State Veterans' Cemetery

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that he has appointed James Bass and Sergio Villaverde to serve on the selection committee charged with determining the location of the first state veterans’ cemetery. “The selfless men and women who serve our...

Speaker Heastie Statement on Updated Guidance and Capacity Limits in the Assembly Chamber

Effective immediately, and consistent with updated guidance, capacity limits in the Assembly Chamber have been eliminated. In order to ensure everyone’s safety, members, employees and visitors will continue to be required to wear face masks in all Assembly...

Assembly Passes Legislation Expanding Voters' Access to the Ballot in New York

Speaker Carl Heastie and Election Law Committee Chair Latrice Walker today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to expand access to absentee ballot voting in New York by removing the constitutional barrier to “no excuse” absentee ballots...

Speaker Heastie Statement on the Passing of Former Assemblymember Aurelia Greene

Pictured in the photo with Speaker Heastie is (from left to right) former Assemblymember Aurelia Greene and Assemblymember Latoya Joyner.
It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of a true friend and community stalwart, former Assemblymember Aurelia Greene. While representing the 77th Assembly District in the Bronx for over 20 years, she dedicated her life to the betterment...

Assembly Passes Lifesaving Legislation to Require Safe Staffing Standards in Hospitals and Nursing Homes

Speaker Carl Heastie, Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried and Assemblymember Aileen Gunther today announced that the Assembly passed lifesaving legislation which will require hospitals and nursing homes to meet staffing ratios for nurses and unlicensed...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Extend Residential & Commercial Eviction Moratoriums

Speaker Carl Heastie, Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz and and Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to extend the residential and commercial eviction and foreclosure moratoriums, and expand the number...

April 2021

Speaker Heastie Statement on Resolutions Repealing Executive Orders

Today, the Assembly passed resolutions to repeal certain portions of a series of executive orders issued by the governor over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. These executive orders were issued in order to respond to the constantly evolving health...

Assembly to Pass Legislation to Expand Rape Statutes to Allow Survivors to Seek Justice

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Catalina Cruz today announced that the Assembly will pass legislation that would redefine New York’s rape statutes to ensure that survivors receive appropriate justice and that their trauma is recognized as...

Assembly Passes Measure to Expand the Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights to Include Paid Family Leave

Speaker Carl Heastie, Labor Committee Chair Latoya Joyner and Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar today announced the passage of legislation to expand the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights so that domestic workers are covered under Paid Family Leave and...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Restore Voting Rights to Individuals Released to Parole Supervision

Speaker Carl Heastie and Election Law Committee Chair Latrice Walker today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would restore voting rights to individuals released to parole supervision to facilitate community reintegration and participation...

Speaker Heastie Statement

George Floyd’s murder was a tragedy. It was a crime that the entire world witnessed on video over the course of nine minutes and 29 seconds. That Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts is important and it is right. But I also know we must continue...

Assembly Passes Earth Day Legislative Package to Safeguard the Environment

Speaker Carl Heastie and Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Steve Englebright today announced that the Assembly will commemorate April 22, 2021 as the 51st Anniversary of Earth Day (K.167, McMahon). In honor of Earth Day the Assembly passed...

Assembly Passes Hero Act, Protecting Workers from Infectious Diseases in the Workplace

Speaker Carl Heastie, Labor Committee Chair Latoya Joyner and Assemblymember Karines Reyes today announced that the Assembly has passed the Hero Act, which will establish health and safety standards to protect New Yorkers from airborne infectious diseases...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Exempt COVID-19 Stimulus Relief from Money Judgments

Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would exempt COVID-19 stimulus relief for individuals and families with children from seizure to satisfy money judgments...

Assembly Announces New $15 Million Statewide Digital Inclusion Grant Program in SFY 2020-21 Budget

Speaker Carl Heastie and Science & Technology Committee Chair Steve Otis today announced that the approved State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget includes the Assembly’s proposal to establish a new $15 million statewide Digital Inclusion Grant Program...

Assembly Announces SFY 2021-22 Budget Includes Funding for Human Services Programs that Support Vulnerable New Yorkers

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget includes critical funding for programs that support children and families, as well as invests in vital mental health, addiction and substance abuse services. “The COVID-19...

Approved SFY 2021-22 Budget Includes Critical Investments to Aid Recovery for Small Business and the Arts & Entertainment Industry, Helps New Yorkers Get Back to Work

Speaker Carl Heastie, Small Business Committee Chair Al Stirpe; Economic Development Committee Chair Harry Bronson; Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development Chair Daniel O’Donnell; Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi; and Labor...

Enacted Budget to Include $2.1 Billion for Excluded Workers Fund

Speaker Carl Heastie and Labor Committee Chair Latoya Joyner today announced the enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget includes $2.1 billion for the Excluded Worker Fund. The fund will be administered by the Department of Labor and will provide...

SFY 2021-22 Budget Includes Critical Funding for Social Services, Housing and a Rent Relief Program for Those Impacted by COVID-19

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the approved State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget makes investments in critical social service programs and public housing, as well as providing rent and homeowners relief programs for those impacted by the...

Assembly Announces SFY 2021-22 Budget Includes $13.7 Billion in Funding for Higher Education

Speaker Carl Heastie and Higher Education Committee Chair Deborah J. Glick today announced the approved State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-2022 Budget invests in making higher education accessible for all New York students, funding the State University of New...

Approved SFY 2021-22 Budget Funds Critical Agricultural Programs

Speaker Carl Heastie and Agriculture Committee Chair Donna Lupardo today announced the approved State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget will include $35.78 million in funding for agricultural aid to localities and other critical agricultural programs....

Assembly Announces SFY 2021-22 Budget Invests $1.84 Billion in Funding for the Environment, Including $300 Million for the Environmental Protection Fund

Speaker Carl Heastie and Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Steve Englebright today announced that the enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget invests $1.84 billion in funding for the environment, including $300 million for the New York...

Approved SFY 2021-22 Budget Includes $29.1 Billion in School Aid

Speaker Carl Heastie and Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto today announced the approved State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget will include $29.1 billion in funding to General Support for Public Schools (GSPS), an increase of $3.1 billion,...

Approved Budget Makes $11.2 Billion Investment in Transportation Operating and Infrastructure Across New York State

Speaker Carl Heastie, Transportation Chair William B. Magnarelli, and Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Chair Amy Paulin today announced that the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget will invest $11.2 billion in the state’s transportation...

Approved SFY 2021-22 Budget Provides Critical Health Funding

Speaker Carl Heastie and Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried today announced the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget includes $542 million in restorations to the Medicaid program and $58.25 million in restorations to public health programs....

Assembly Announces Approved $212 Billion SFY 2021-22 Budget Invests in N.Y. Communities and Aids in Recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic

Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today announced that the approved State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget of $212 billion will put New York families first by making critical investments in communities helping...

Speaker Heastie Statement on the HALT Solitary Confinement Act

The signing into law of the HALT Solitary Confinement Act marks a historic day for our state and for our criminal justice system, and recognizes the fundamental human rights to which we all are entitled. The evidence is clear – solitary confinement...

March 2021

Assembly Passes Legislation to Extend Utility Termination Moratorium

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Diana Richardson today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would continue and expand the existing moratorium on utility termination of services to protect New Yorkers struggling financially during...

Assembly to Pass the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act to Legalize Adult Use of Marijuana in New York State

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assembly Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes today announced that the Assembly will pass the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), which will legalize the adult use of marijuana in New York for individuals 21 years...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Remove Antiquated Language from Family Court Proceedings

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the Assembly has passed legislation to eliminate the stigma of being labeled “incorrigible” in Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) proceedings (A.5873, Reyes). “Our family court system is intended to assess...

Assembly Expands Unemployment Insurance Eligibility to Parents Forced to Leave Workforce in Order to Care for their Children

Speaker Carl Heastie, Labor Committee Chair Latoya Joyner and Assemblymember Jennifer Lunsford today announced the Assembly has passed legislation expanding unemployment insurance eligibility to include workers who have had to leave their jobs in order...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Increase Transparency and Accountability in Government During Sunshine Week

Speaker Carl Heastie and Governmental Operations Committee Chair Kenneth Zebrowski today marked the nationwide observance of Sunshine Week with the passage of legislation to strengthen the state’s Freedom of Information Laws (FOIL) to enhance transparency...

Speaker Heastie & Judiciary Committee Chair Lavine Announce the Hiring of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP to Lead Impeachment Investigation of Governor's Conduct

Speaker Carl Heastie and Judiciary Committee Chair Charles D. Lavine today announced that the Assembly has retained the law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP to lead an impeachment investigation into allegations against Governor Andrew Cuomo. “Since Thursday,...

Assembly Passes Legislation Expanding Access to Veterans Treatment Courts throughout New York State

Speaker Carl Heastie, Judiciary Committee Chair Charles D. Lavine, Assemblymember Sandy Galef and Veterans' Affairs Committee Chair Didi Barrett today announced the Assembly has passed legislation expanding the availability of Veterans Treatment Courts...

Assembly Passes HALT Solitary Confinement Act

Speaker Carl Heastie, Corrections Committee Chair David I. Weprin and Assemblymember Jeffrion Aubry today announced that the Assembly passed the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term (HALT) Solitary Confinement Act, which would limit the time an inmate can...

Assembly and Senate Announce General Conference Committee Appointments

2021 General Budget Conference Committee Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie (Co-Chair) Helene Weinstein Crystal Peoples-Stokes Phil Ramos Jeffrion Aubry* William Barclay Edward Ra* Senate Andrea Stewart-Cousins (Co-Chair) Liz...

Assembly Budget Includes New Statewide Digital Inclusion Grant Program

Speaker Heastie and Science & Technology Committee Chair Steven Otis today announced the Assembly's State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget includes a new statewide $15 million Digital Inclusion Grant Program to assist local efforts to bring digital...

Assembly and Senate Announce General Conference Committee

Legislature to Convene General Budget Conference Committee meeting today at 12:30 p.m. In the interest of public health and safety, the hearings will be conducted virtually using web-based video conferencing at https://www.nysenate.gov/events and https://www.nyassembly.gov/av/live/. 2021 General...

Assembly SFY 2021-22 Budget Funds Critical Agricultural Programs

Speaker Carl Heastie and Agriculture Committee Chair Donna Lupardo today announced the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget will include $35.41 million in funding for agricultural aid to localities and other critical agricultural programs....

Assembly Announces $400 Million for Environmental Protection Fund in Assembly SFY 2021-22 Budget

Speaker Carl Heastie and Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Steve Englebright today announced the Assembly's 2021-22 State Fiscal Year (SFY) budget includes an increase of $100 million funding over the proposed executive proposal for a total...

Assembly SFY 2021-22 Budget Restores Critical Health Funding

Speaker Carl Heastie and Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried today announced the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget would make $376 million in restorations to the Medicaid program and $393 million in restorations to public health...

Assembly Budget Makes $11.3 Billion Investment in Transportation Operating and Infrastructure Across New York State

Speaker Carl Heastie, Transportation Chair William B. Magnarelli, and Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Chair Amy Paulin today announced that the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget will invest $11.3 billion in the state’s transportation...

Assembly Budget Invests $18.6 Billion in Higher Education, Including Increased Funding for Opportunity Programs

Speaker Carl Heastie and Higher Education Committee Chair Deborah J. Glick today announced the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-2022 Budget invests in making higher education accessible for all New York students, funding the State University...

Assembly Budget Includes Funding for Critical Human Services

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget restores critical funding for programs that support children and families, as well as invests in vital mental health, addiction and substance abuse services....

Assembly SFY 2021-22 Budget Invests in Recovery for Small Businesses and the Arts, Helps New Yorkers Get Back to Work

Speaker Carl Heastie, Small Business Committee Chair Al Stirpe; Economic Development Committee Chair Harry Bronson; Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development Chair Daniel O’Donnell; Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi; and Labor...

Assembly Spending Plan Includes $29.5 Billion in School Aid

Speaker Carl Heastie and Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto today announced State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Assembly Budget would restore $2 billion, including $29.5 billion in funding to General Support for Public Schools (GSPS), an increase...

Assembly Budget Includes Critical Funding for Social Services, Housing and a Rent Relief Program for Those Impacted by COVID-19

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Assembly State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget makes investments in critical social service programs and public housing, as well as providing a rent relief program for those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic....

Assembly Releases $208.3 Billion Spending Plan that Aids in New York's Recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic and Invests in the State's Economy

Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today announced the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Budget Proposal of $208.3 billion. The COVID-19 pandemic is not just a health crisis, it also resulted in an economic...

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie on Authorizing Assembly Judiciary Committee to Begin Impeachment Investigation into Governor Cuomo

After meeting with the Assembly Majority Conference today, I am authorizing the Assembly Judiciary Committee to begin an impeachment investigation, led by Chair Charles D. Lavine, to examine allegations of misconduct against Governor Cuomo. The reports...

Statement from Speaker Heastie

In light of the allegations concerning the Governor over the last several weeks, I will be meeting with members in conference today on potential paths forward.

Speaker Heastie Statement on Passage of the American Rescue Plan

I am so thankful to the members of our congressional delegation who have continued to fight for our state since COVID-19 first hit New York. I have said throughout the pandemic that the Assembly Majority would do everything we could to help New Yorkers...

Assembly Continues Passage of Sweeping Nursing Home Reform Legislative Package

Speaker Carl Heastie, Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried and Aging Committee Chair Ron Kim today announced the Assembly will continue passing a sweeping package of legislation to increase safety and improve the quality of life for New Yorkers...

Statement from Speaker Heastie

The allegations pertaining to the Governor that have been reported in recent weeks have been deeply disturbing, and have no place whatsoever in government, the workplace or anywhere else. I too share the sentiment of Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins...

Speaker Heastie Statement on Repeal of Governor's Emergency Powers

A year ago, as New York was being ravaged by COVID-19, we passed legislation to give the governor temporary emergency powers that would allow the state to nimbly react to a constantly evolving, deadly situation. These temporary emergency powers were always...

Assembly Begins Passing Sweeping Nursing Home Reform Legislative Package

Speaker Carl Heastie, Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried and Aging Committee Chair Ron Kim today announced the Assembly has begun to pass a series of bills to increase safety and improve the quality of life for New Yorkers living in nursing...

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie Clarifying Misinformation on Legislative Agreement to Terminate the Governor's Emergency Powers

Fact #1 The legislation immediately repeals the Governor’s expanded emergency powers and he cannot issue any new directives going forward.  Fact #2 The Governor must justify to the Legislature the extension or modification of any existing directives...

Speaker Carl Heastie Statement on the Passing of Civil Rights Leader Vernon Jordan

It is with great sadness that I join my colleagues and the nation in mourning the passing of civil rights icon Vernon Jordan. Mr. Jordan grew up in the Jim Crow South and channeled his experiences into action. After graduating from law school in 1960,...

Legislature Elects Two New Members and Reelects Two Members to Board of Regents

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senate and Assembly Education Committee Chairs Shelley B. Mayer and Michael Benedetto, and Senate and Assembly Higher Education Committee Chairs Toby Ann Stavisky and Deborah...

Legislature to Pass Legislation Repealing Governor's Emergency Powers

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the Legislature will pass legislation repealing the temporary emergency powers that were granted to the governor last year at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic....

Statement from Michael Whyland, Communications Director to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie

Instead of helping to move our state forward, Assembly Republicans are working overtime to stall efforts to help our communities by playing politics during a time when New Yorkers can least afford it. Let’s remember, these are the same do-nothing politicians...

February 2021

Statement from Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie

As I previously stated, all allegations of harassment must be taken seriously. A truly independent investigation is warranted.

Statement from Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie

I have read the reports. These are serious allegations. Harassment in the workplace of any kind should not be tolerated.

Speaker Heastie Appoints New Member to Joint Commission on Public Ethics

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that he has appointed Richard F. Braun to serve on the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE). “Mr. Braun has an impressive resume that clearly demonstrates his commitment to the legal...

Statement from Assembly Director of Communications Michael Whyland

There was a formal request from Assembly committee chairs and other members to the Department of Health asking for more information on follow up questions in regards to data on nursing homes. The Governor's office communicated to staff that they needed...

Speaker Heastie Announces Assembly Post-COVID Mass Transit Working Group

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Assembly has created an internal working group to focus on the recovery and future of the state’s mass transit systems as they mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Every day, hardworking New...

Assembly Passes Legislation to allow N.Y. to More Safely Conduct Elections During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Speaker Carl Heastie and Election Law Committee Chair Latrice Walker today announced the Assembly has passed a package of legislation that will help make conducting elections safer during the COVID-19 pandemic.  “Ensuring our elections are free and...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Amend N.Y. Constitution's Bill of Rights to Include a Right to Clean Air and Water

Speaker Carl Heastie and Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Steve Englebright today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation that would allow New Yorkers to vote to amend the New York State Constitution’s Bill of Rights to include...

Speaker Heastie Statement on Selection of Dr. Betty Rosa as Commissioner of Education

On behalf of my Assembly Majority colleagues, I would like to congratulate Dr. Betty Rosa for being appointed commissioner of education. Dr. Rosa’s outstanding reputation as an educator and an advocate combined with her proven track record as interim...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Extend Death Benefits to Families of Municipal Frontline Workers

Speaker Carl Heastie and Governmental Employees Committee Chair Peter Abbate, Jr. today announced the Assembly has passed legislation to extend the provisions granted last year that ensure families of municipal frontline workers who lost their lives to...

Assembly Passes Legislation Granting Employees Time Off to Receive Vaccinations

Speaker Carl Heastie, Governmental Employees Committee Chair Peter J. Abbate, Jr. and Assemblymember Charles D. Fall announced today that the Assembly passed legislation granting time off for public and private sector employees to receive a COVID-19...

Assembly Passes Repeal of the Walking While Trans Ban

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Amy Paulin today announced that the Assembly passed legislation repealing the ‘Walking While Trans’ ban, which prohibits loitering for the purpose of prostitution (A.3355, Paulin). This law has been used to...

January 2021

Speaker Heastie Announces Assembly Working Group on Transitioning N.Y. Economy Toward COVID-19 Recovery

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the appointment of an Assembly internal working group to focus on transitioning New York State’s economy toward a COVID-19 recovery. The working group will be led by Assembly Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Help Construction Workers Recover Stolen Wages

Speaker Carl Heastie and Labor Committee Chair Latoya Joyner today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation that would provide New York construction workers with a new remedy against wage theft. “The Assembly Majority has earned its reputation...

Speaker Heastie Statement on Holocaust Remembrance Day

Today my colleagues and I in the Assembly Majority passed a resolution commemorating Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 76th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Each year, this day serves as a stark reminder of what can happen when corrosive...

Assembly to Pass Legislation to Help Workers and Small Businesses Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Assembly will pass legislation to help hard working New Yorkers and small businesses across the state weather the storm of the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation will allow workers to collect unemployment...

Legislature Announces Joint Budget Hearing Schedule

Senate Finance Committee Chair Liz Krueger and Assembly Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today announced the Joint Legislative Hearing Schedule on the 2021-22 Executive Budget Proposal. These hearings, each of which focuses on a programmatic...

Speaker Heastie on the Inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Harris

Today, the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris brings a sense of hope and relief that Americans have desperately needed, especially following nearly a year of immeasurable loss and suffering caused by this global pandemic....

Speaker Heastie Statement on the Executive Budget Proposal for FY 2021-22

This last year, the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing financial crisis has put an incalculable strain on New York – on our institutions, our communities and the health and wellbeing of our people. We have lost billions of dollars in revenue, and we...

Speaker Heastie Statement on the House of Representatives Impeaching President Trump

I am proud of the swift action taken by the U.S. House of Representatives today to impeach President Donald J. Trump. A week ago we watched in horror as domestic terrorists incited by the president and his allies flooded the halls of the U.S. Capitol,...

Speaker Heastie, Assemblymember Fahy and 75 Assembly Majority Members Send Letter to Congress Urging Them to Remove President Trump from Office

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Patricia Fahy today were joined by 75 Assembly Majority colleagues in sending a letter to Congressional leadership urging swift action on articles of impeachment and removal from office of President Donald J. Trump...

The Remarks of Speaker Carl E. Heastie

Opening the 244th Legislative Session

January 11, 2021Assembly ChamberAlbany_____________________________________[as prepared] Good afternoon members, staff, interns and guests. No matter where you are joining us from, welcome to the People’s House. Things may look different this year than...

Speaker Heastie Statement on Election of Dr. Lester W. Young, Jr. as Board of Regents Chancellor

I would like to extend my congratulations to Dr. Lester W. Young, Jr. on his election as chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents, and applaud the Board of Regents for this excellent and groundbreaking choice. Chancellor Young, who will be the...

Speaker Heastie Statement Congratulating U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer

Congratulations to former assemblymember and Brooklyn’s own U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer on becoming majority leader of the U.S. Senate. He has spent his career fighting for all New Yorkers, from the shores of Lake Erie to the Long Island Sound....

Speaker Heastie Statement on the Unrest at the U.S. Capitol

The violent attack on the U.S. Capitol and our democratic institutions that is occurring right now in Washington is deplorable. In the United States of America, we pride ourselves on a peaceful transition of power. This is domestic terrorism and it is...

Speaker Heastie Announces Leadership Positions and Committee Chairs for 2021 Legislative Session

Speaker Carl E. Heastie Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes Chair, Ways and Means Helene E. Weinstein Deputy Speaker Catherine Nolan Assistant Speaker Phil Ramos Speaker Pro Tempore Jeffrion L. Aubry Chair,...

Heastie Re-Elected New York State Assembly Speaker

I would like to thank my Assembly colleagues for entrusting me to serve as speaker of the People’s House for the fourth time. I am truly humbled by your faith in my leadership. It will undoubtedly be a challenging year, but I am confident that the...