Senator Sanders Blasts Senate Republican Leadership for Ignoring New Yorkers' Concerns and Priorities

Senator James Sanders Jr. (D - Rochdale Village, Far Rockaway)  today chided the Senate Republican/IDC Majority Coalition for failing New Yorkers during the past legislative session. While some accomplishments were made, the 2017 Legislative Session will be judged on what was left undone. Senator Sanders highlighted the Senate Republican/IDC Majority’s failure to address a host of issues and ignoring efforts by the Senate Democrats to resist the Trump Agenda.

“New Yorkers deserve better from their state government, and they have been failed by those in power in the State Senate,” Senator James Sanders Jr. said. “I am deeply frustrated and disappointed by the Senate Republican/IDC Majority’s refusal to listen to the voters and enact real reforms and progressive policies. While the Senate leadership may have skipped town, I will keep up the fight to give my constituents, and all New Yorkers, the government results they demand and deserve.”

The New York State Senate ended the 2017 Legislative Session this past Wednesday, June 21. On the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, the Senate Republican/IDC Leadership dragged out proceedings into late hours of the night. Despite this fact, they refused to act on critical issues like criminal justice reforms, protecting New Yorkers’ health care, investing more in public education, protecting the environment, and many, many more. Additionally, the Senate Republican/IDC Coalition failed to extend mayoral control, thereby throwing the 1.1 million student New York City public school system into chaos.

Senator Sanders, the Chair of the Senate Democratic MWBE Task Force, did note that there were some successes over the past legislation session. A ‘raise the age’ compromise was passed in the State Budget which will take full effect in October 2019. Additionally, two bills to reform MWBE’s were passed through the Legislature. Senator Sanders, together with Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte, Chair of the Assembly Subcommittee on MWBEs, kicked off the first ever MWBE Advocacy Day in Albany.

“I am very proud to serve as Chair of the Senate Democratic MWBE Task Force, because it enables me to continue the work that I did in the New York City Council to support minority and women-owned businesses,” Senator James Sanders Jr. added. “While we took strides to grow the economy and help encourage investment in minority communities, the fact remains that the Senate Republican/IDC Coalition skipped town with many issues left untouched and unaccomplished. Over the weeks and months ahead I will continue pushing for common sense reforms and legislation to protect New Yorkers from Donald Trump.”