Michaelle C. Solages

1. What are the most pressing issues the New York State Legislature should address in the 2023 legislative session?

2. All in all, do you think things in New York are generally headed in the right direction, or do you feel things are on the wrong track?

Generally heading in the right direction

On the wrong track

Unsure

3. In your opinion, which is the best way to make New York more affordable?

Cutting wasteful spending

Delivering tax relief

Creating more jobs

Raising wages

Other

4. Are you concerned about rising inflation and its impact on everyday essentials, such as groceries and gasoline?

Yes

No

5. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a federal policy ensured every student in the nation had access to free school meals – but this ended in June 2022, and 726,000 students across New York lost access to free school meals.

Do you support New York State funding a universal school lunch program in which students would be provided free meals (breakfast and lunch) to all students, regardless of income level?

Yes, I support a universal school lunch program.

Yes, I support a targeted school lunch program for schools with a majority of middle or lower-income families.

No, I do not support this initiative.

6. Of the following issues, where should the New York State 2023 budget allocate more funds? (Select the top 3)

Combating climate change and public health hazards

Economy (jobs, inflation, taxes)

Expanding childcare slots

Expanding housing stock on Long Island

Funding for public K-12 schools

Housing affordability

Immigration and securing a path to citizenship

Infrastructure and transportation

Mental health/addiction recovery services

Pre and postnatal maternal healthcare

Public Safety

Other

7. The cost of living has been steadily rising for New Yorkers. Do you believe that minimum wage should be raised above $15/hour?

Yes

No

8. Those who apply for federal Section 8 housing vouchers are placed on a long waitlist, and often never receive rental assistance. Would you support New York State creating its own housing voucher program to help residents with no or little income pay rent?

Yes

No

9. A public criminal history often prevents individuals from finding housing and steady employment. Clean Slate legislation has been proposed that would allow for an automatic sealing of certain criminal convictions. The bill would apply to records of misdemeanor and felony convictions subject to certain conditions. These conditions require that the individual not have a pending criminal charge in this state, not currently be on probation or parole for the eligible conviction, and that the individual is not currently required to register as a sex offender.

Do you support passing the Clean Slate bill into law?

Yes

No

Unsure

10. The Legislative commission on the future of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) was established in 2022 to develop and present to the legislature an action plan for implementing a true public power model for residents of Long Island and the Rockaways. The goals of the commission are to avoid paying tens of millions of dollars in annual management fees to an outside utility, to create greater transparency and clearer lines of accountability for the safe, reliable, and affordable delivery of electricity to ratepayers, and give LIPA's customers a greater say in how this essential service is provided.

Do you believe that New York State should create and manage its own utilities to provide energy directly to residents?

Yes

No

Unsure

11. The burden of recycling falls not just on people sorting their containers properly, but also on cities and counties. Proposed legislation would shift the cost of recycling on to the companies producing the packaging.

Would you support legislation that:

Require producers to decrease the amount of their non-reusable packaging by 50% over the first 10 years. (with exceptions for small businesses).

Allow producers to come up with their own targets, both for how much recyclable material will be used in their packaging and for how much of their packaging will be recycled.

Impose an extended producer responsibility system on a state-level in conjunction with a 2-cent fee on every piece of single-use plastic packaging.

12. Data shows that Long Island has “by far” more detections of emerging contaminants in its drinking water than any other region in the state. Would you support banning pollutants that leach into our water such as pesticides?

Yes

No

13. One way to reduce greenhouse emissions is to power buildings with electricity. Electric power would also save customers money since there would be no need for expensive gas lines. Would you support legislation that requires all newly constructed buildings to be electric-powered?

Yes

No

Unsure

14. Home heating prices have been soaring in recent years. Do you support the state limiting how much a utility can charge for heat?

Yes

No

Unsure

15. Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) were established in the late 1960s to incentivize economic development in localities by attracting businesses and creating jobs. However, the incentives offered by IDAs today often include the waiving of property and sales taxes, resulting in significant loss of revenue for municipalities and school districts. Would you support legislation that prevents IDAs from providing subsidies to large multinational corporations to build storage and warehouse facilities?

Yes

No

16. Recent reports describe schools using physical restraints and seclusion rooms to change the behavior of students with disabilities. This often results in pain and trauma for young children. Would you support outlawing these practices?

Yes

No

17. New York Racing Association officials are considering new renovations to the racetrack at Belmont Park. The track has not been renovated since 1968. Would you support the redevelopment of the Belmont Park Racetrack?

Yes

No

18. Chattel slavery, reconstruction, Jim Crow, segregation, mass incarceration, and its remnants have created inequities across all aspects of society, resulting in the systemic substandard treatment and conditions for people of African descent in the United States. According to the Oxford Dictionary, reparations means “the action of making amends for a wrong done; amends; compensation.” In addition, are five forms of reparations: restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction, and guarantees of non-repetition. Would you support a bill to establish the ‘New York state community commission on reparations remedies’ that would examine and issue a report on the feasibility of reparations for Black New Yorkers?

Yes, I support a commission on reparations remedies.

No, I oppose a commission on reparations remedies.

19. Properly maintained roads are essential to Nassau County residents, businesses, schools and emergency service providers. Numerous government agencies construct, maintain and repair roads.

Are you satisfied with the quality of the roadways in your community?

Yes

No

Please name a street in need of repair:

20. The recent and continued renovation of Elmont Road Park has received praise from local officials and residents for revitalizing the community, especially during summer months. What other areas, facilities, or public parks do you believe should be renovated or improved in some way?

21. What events would you like to see take place in the community over the course of the coming year? (sports, community service, educational, cultural, etc.)

22. Are there any problems in the community that you would like to see addressed?

23. A new legislative session welcomes the opportunity to introduce new legislation. If you could propose a new law or modify existing law, what would you recommend?

24. Do you have any additional thoughts or comments?

Would you also like to subscribe to our eNewsletter?

Yes

No

Assemblywoman

Assembly District 22

2023 Constituent Questionnaire