Senator Metzger Highlights a New Era of Public Involvement in State Legislative Issues

(Middletown, NY) Senator Jen Metzger highlighted the numerous public hearings held across the state during her first legislative session in the State Senate, including four in the Hudson Valley. During the 2019 legislative session, the Senate Majority held 36 issue-based hearings, in contrast to only seven in the previous years. Metzger, who ran on improving government transparency, says that public hearings are an important opportunity for constituents to discuss issues directly with their elected officials. 

“Our democracy is strongest when there are opportunities for citizens to weigh in on important pieces of legislation,” Senator Metzger explained. “We have just wrapped up one of the most productive legislative sessions in state history, and I am proud that we included hearings on important topics, from climate change to election reform. I will continue to support legislation that improves transparency in government and to provide every opportunity for my constituents to have a voice in Albany.”

This year, the Senate Majority held hearings on transportation, infrastructure, affordable housing, climate change, health care coverage, farm workers' rights, limousine safety, sports betting, education funding, and the first joint Legislative hearing on sexual harassment in nearly 30 years. Totaling over five times more public hearings than the previous majority. Senator Metzger initiated or co-initiated hearings in her district on a range of issues, including the Climate and Community Protection Act, the State budget, and the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act. The 42nd State Senate District includes Sullivan County and portions of Orange, Ulster, and Delaware counties.

2019 Legislative Session Issue-Based Public Hearings: 
2/12: Environmental Conservation and Climate Change (CCPA) Hearing, Albany
2/13: Joint Legislative Hearing on Sexual Harassment In The Workplace, Albany
2/14: Environmental Conservation and Climate Change (CCPA) Hearing, NYC
2/15: Environmental Conservation and Climate Change (CCPA) Hearing, Long Island
2/19: Transportation and Transit Systems (MTA) Hearing, NYC
2/21: Environmental Conservation and Climate Change (CCPA) Hearing, Syracuse
3/1: Transportation and Transit Systems (LIRR) Hearing, Long Island
3/1: Environmental Conservation and Climate Change (CCPA) Hearing, New Paltz
3/4: Student Loan Consumer Assistance Program Hearing, Albany
3/8: Transportation and Transit Systems (Metro-North) Hearing, Westchester
3/15: Mayoral Control Hearing, NYC
3/15: Transportation and Transit Systems (NFTA) Hearing, Buffalo
3/20: Public Campaign Financing Hearing, Albany
3/22: Transportation and Transit Systems (Centro) Hearing, Syracuse
4/10: For-Profit Schools Hearing, Albany
4/25: Farmworkers Hearing, Morrisville
4/26: Farmworkers Hearing, Smithtown
4/30: Divesting from Fossil Fuels Hearing, Albany
5/2: Limo and Bus Safety Hearing, Albany
5/2: Farmworkers Hearing, Loch Sheldrake
5/8: Sports Betting Hearing, Albany
5/9: Rent Regulation And Tenant Protection Hearing, Syracuse
5/16: Rent Regulation And Tenant Protection Hearing, Brooklyn
5/22: Rent Regulation And Tenant Protection Hearing, Albany
5/23: Code Enforcement Hearing, Newburgh
5/23: Rent Regulation And Tenant Protection Hearing, Newburgh
5/24: Joint Legislative Hearing on Sexual Harassment In The Workplace, NYC
5/28: Rent Regulation And Tenant Protection Hearing, Greenburgh
5/28: New York Health Act Hearing, Albany
5/29: Surrogacy Hearing, Albany
5/29: Funding Public Education Hearing, Albany
5/30: Automatic Voter Registration Hearing, Albany
6/4: Online Privacy Hearing, Albany
6/4: Suicide and Suicide Prevention Hearing, Albany
6/5: Racehorses Hearing, Albany
6/7: E-bikes/E-scooters Hearing, Albany

Jen Metzger represents the 42nd Senate District, which includes all of Sullivan County and parts of Delaware, Orange, and Ulster Counties. Senator Metzger serves as Chair of the Agriculture Committee and sits on the Environmental Conservation, Education, Health, Energy and Telecommunications, Local Government, Women’s Issues, Domestic Animal Welfare, and Legislative Commission on Rural Resources Committees.
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