Senator May Hosts Multiple Town Halls to Hear From Constituents

Senator Rachel May hosted several town halls in the 48th District over the past month, including two discussions focused on the upcoming budget. These meetings provided a platform for community members to voice their ideas and concerns about state spending. Senator May will take what she heard back to Albany as the Senate continues the budget process. 

Senator May also recently held a town hall meeting in Baldwinsville to highlight the progress made in the 48th District since she took office in 2019 and discuss the important work ahead to further enhance the quality of life for all New Yorkers. Key topics such as housing, education, and the environment were at the forefront of the conversation.   

Here is a summary of the topics discussed in the meetings: 

Housing

2019-2020

• The Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act
• Prevents landlords from engaging in unfair practices.

2021-2022

• Introduced Tenant Dignity and Safe Housing Act and the right to counsel in eviction hearings.
• Advocated for housing construction with a bill to promote more innovative housing development.

2023-2024

• The Tenant Dignity and Safe Housing Act was passed.
• $90 million for new and better housing upstate, including renovating sub-par apartments, building on abandoned properties, and investing in rural housing.
• $40 million for weatherization
• $20 million for Upstate lead abatement
• $16.8 million to reduce the risk of lead exposure in rental properties.

2025

• The budget proposal includes legislation for a revolving loan fund for mixed-income housing and reforms to streamline infill housing permits.

More Work to do:

• Promote a better comprehensive housing development strategy -Greater power for tenants in housing and overall in political decisions
• Zoning transparency

• Education

• The Senate majority prioritized funding for school districts and successfully achieved full funding for public education in 2024.
• Included in the 2025 Budget Proposal: Free breakfast and lunch for all children Stronger farm-to-table connection

• STEAM High School for Onondaga County students opening this fall

• Secured $72 million to renovate Central Tech High School in Syracuse.
• First-of-its-kind school combining ART and workforce development for STEM disciplines.
• Partnerships with Amazon, Everson Museum of Art, Redhouse Arts Center, Micron, CenterState CEO's The Tech Garden

• Environment

   Fresh Water

• Helped to secure $500 million yearly for clean water infrastructure, prioritizing lead pipe replacement.
• Sponsored a bill for monitoring and combating harmful algal blooms.
• Increased support for farms to reduce runoff and implement watershed-friendly practices. -Advanced legislation to support lake associations and regional water protection. -Fighting water contamination from PFAS - “forever chemicals.”
• Reducing Waste
• Introducing a new bottle bill that will significantly enhance recycling efforts and reduce waste.
• Continuing efforts to expand “circular economies” for waste reduction, focusing on packaging.
• Climate and Energy
• Sponsored the landmark Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
• Working to modernize the electric grid with grid-enhancing technologies and more innovative connectivity. -Enacted the Public Renewables law, utilizing State lands for clean energy production.
• Funded weatherization and energy efficiency projects in low- and moderate-income households.
• Improving Habitats
• Sponsored legislation signed into law to support native plant propagation, pollinator-friendly landscapes, and urban forests.