Senate Republicans Unveil “Rescue New York” 2023 Legislative Agenda

ALBANY, NY — The New York State Senate Republican Conference today announced its “Rescue New York” 2023 legislative agenda. The agenda includes a broad range of common-sense policies to reverse the alarming consequences of One-Party Rule, including a drastic decline in public safety, a depleted workforce, high taxes, business-crippling regulations, record inflation and increased costs of goods, and nation-leading population loss.

“Economic activity has decreased, crime has increased, and people are leaving our state in droves. We continue to struggle with the economic aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with record inflation and increased costs on everything from groceries to gas and home heating fuels, but One-Party Rule continues to fail to address these important issues. We must prioritize making New York safer, stronger, more affordable and more free for every resident.  Our 2023 Rescue New York agenda addresses these critical areas and will help put our state back on the right path,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt.

“Albany’s one party rule has made New York unaffordable and less safe with rising crime.  These common sense proposals will put the people first and get New York State back on track to a better future for all,” said Senate Deputy Republican Leader Andrew Lanza.  

“Our Rescue NY 2023 plan will deliver the changes New Yorkers need and deserve.  Safer communities. A more affordable state where people will want to live and raise their families. Where businesses want to locate and create new job opportunities for our residents. Where our family farms can continue to grow and prosper. And where our rural communities receive their fair share for infrastructure improvements, healthcare, emergency services, education, workforce development, and much more,” said Senator Pam Helming, Chair of the Republican Conference.

“As New Yorkers, we all want the same things – we want to feel safe in our homes, and in our communities. We all want affordability, we want government to stop interfering in our lives. With this plan we’ve listened to New Yorkers by addressing those needs, while turning back the Democrats’ pro-criminal, tax and spend policies of the past four years. These policies not only have left our families less safe, but also increased the cost of just about everything essential – from food to energy. It is high time Democrats stopped letting the tip of the tail wag the dog. They need to abandon their radical progressive agenda destroying our great State, and work with us to fix what they’ve broken. New Yorkers deserve nothing less,” said Senator Jack Martins, Vice Chair of the Senate Republican Conference.

“Public safety and meaningful tax relief are top priorities for me, the Minority Senate Conference and the constituents who I represent. Extreme forces within state and federal governments have made our communities less affordable and more dangerous.  I am proud to stand with Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt to advance an agenda that will offer sound and sensible legislation that will  provide the tax relief that neighbors deserve and safer streets that our families need,” said Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, SD 9th.

The “Rescue New York” 2023 Legislative Agenda is a comprehensive plan to improve public safety, ease the financial burden on middle-class families and small business owners, and restore the quality of life in communities throughout New York State. Components of the Rescue New York plan focus on

A Safer New York 

• Restore common sense to our criminal justice system to prevent crime and protect New Yorkers;
• Increase efforts and investments to end the opioid and mental health epidemics; and
• Support and protect our seniors.

A Stronger New York 

• Expand economic opportunity and strengthen our workforce;
• Invest in infrastructure for the 21st century; and
• Help our veterans and military families thrive.

A More Affordable New York

• Cut the Empire State’s highest-in-the-nation tax burden and control government spending;
• Reduce the cost of living for families and all residents;
• Improve New York’s worst-in-the-nation business climate; and
• Enact climate policies that ensure access to affordable, reliable, and clean energy.
   

A More Free New York 

• Provide a high quality education to all students;
• Uphold the rights of New Yorkers; and
• Restore accountability in State government.

For more details on the New York State Senate Republicans’ Rescue New York 2023 agenda, click the Rescue New York 2023 Legislative Agenda attachment above.

“Safer neighborhoods, stronger local economies and a smaller, smarter state government. That’s what we’re fighting for. I’m proud to stand with Leader Ortt and all of my Senate Republican colleagues to promote common-sense policies that will help all of our communities thrive. There’s a lot of work to do. We’re ready to go,” said Senator Jake Ashby, SD 43rd.

“Never before has New York State needed a ‘rescue’ more than it does right now. The exodus out of our state has become a stampede and every New Yorker that leaves us takes a part of our future with them. Reversing this trend isn’t complicated. We need to lower our exorbitant cost of living, restore sanity to our criminal justice policies and move our business climate from hostile to helpful. Our plan is the path to achieving these goals. It needs to be enacted before it's too late,” said Senator George Borrello, SD 57th. 

“We must continue our efforts to fix the state’s criminal justice system, including bail reform. Changes made over the past couple of years have gone too far and tend to favor offenders over law-abiding citizens. We must restore the authority taken from judges and allow them to use their best discretion to keep the most dangerous individuals off our streets and protect our communities.  In addition to improving public safety, this plan prioritizes policies that lower costs and improve conditions for residents and businesses across the state” said Senator Patrick Gallivan, SD 60th.

“New Yorkers continue to flee the state because of the damaging policies that have been put in place by the legislative majorities and governor. It is imperative that we take action – as I have supported and advocated - to stop this exodus and help New Yorkers by providing for significant tax relief, improving the state’s economic and business climate, enhancing public safety and undertaking other critical and important measures that will benefit those living and doing business here. Our plan will do this. It offers real, common sense solutions, approaches and ideas that will make New York safer, stronger and more affordable, while also restoring much-needed balance to state government,” said Senator Joseph Griffo, SD 53rd.

“This package sets the course that our residents - throughout this state - need and deserve. This common sense and realistic plan will help enhance the safety of our families, protect the rights of those we serve and build an economy that benefits everyone as we recover from the economic issues of the past couple of years,” said Senator Mario R. Mattera, SD 2nd.

“Years of one-party, Democrat rule, has resulted in New York State leading the nation in outmigration. Our residents and businesses are fleeing the state in record numbers because the policies coming out of Albany over the past few years have left them feeling unheard, unsafe and unappreciated. Economic recovery has been slow, criminals feel emboldened and inflation has taken its toll.  It’s time for common sense solutions that will move New York forward, encourage success and protect law abiding New Yorkers. That is exactly what the Senate Republican Conference’s “Rescue New York” Plan will do,” said Senator Dean Murray, SD 3rd.

“We are losing people at a record pace, inflation is wreaking havoc on household budgets, and public safety concerns are widespread.  It is time to reverse the damage done over the last several years thanks to one party rule in Albany and deliver crucial changes that people deserve.  Government needs to be accountable to real concerns and our 2023 Rescue New York agenda meets that fundamental demand,” said Senator Peter Oberacker, SD 51st.

“New Yorkers across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions I represent, and statewide, are worried about making ends meet. They see this state becoming less safe, less affordable, less free, less economically competitive, less responsible, and far less hopeful for the future. Albany Democrats acknowledge that New York State has an affordability crisis causing the exodus of our citizens to more affordable states, however the Democrats are intent on raising taxes to increase handouts to their base. They have no interest in reining in out-of-control spending, eliminating taxes, lowering costs, cutting burdensome regulations and mandates, or restoring public safety. We need to rescue New York by restoring the right priorities to turn things around, rebuild stronger and safer communities, and work toward a more responsible and sustainable future for middle-class communities, families, workers, businesses, industries, and taxpayers,” said Senator Tom O’Mara, SD 58th.

“New Yorkers are tired of the crime, violence and radical pro-criminal policies that have made our state more dangerous.  The Senate Republican Conference is committed to advancing an aggressive agenda to combat the state’s skyrocketing crime rates, providing additional support for our men and women in law enforcement and being a strong advocate for victims and their families,” said Senator Anthony Palumbo, SD 1st.

“Albany Democrats continue to ignore that New Yorkers are fleeing in record numbers because of high taxes, exploding crime, and runaway inflation which threaten our safety, prosperity and freedom. Long Islanders and all New Yorkers need relief now, and our common sense agenda addresses the issues most important to families who are struggling while the cost of everything from groceries to gas and home heating fuel piles on. I am eager to roll-up my sleeves to get our state back on the right path, and deliver real results for the great people of the Empire State,” said Senator Steven Rhoads, SD 5th.

“New Yorkers are hurting. Our state is on the wrong track and one-party rule got us here. My colleagues and I are committed to bringing fresh ideas and common-sense solutions into the discussion. I know that by finding common ground across a range of topics we can improve the quality of life for individuals and families living in the Hudson Valley and beyond,” said Senator Rob Rolison, SD 39th.

“A strong majority of New Yorkers have made it clear that change is sorely needed in our state. Rescue NY offers a comprehensive plan to make our state safer, more affordable and more economically vibrant for this generation and for years to come. It’s crucial that we act now and get our state heading in the right direction again,” said Senator Dan Stec, SD 45th. 

“Clearly, our state needs a course correction in its agenda because people are voting with their feet and escaping from New York in droves. New York is a beautiful state with wonderful people and resources.  It just needs an agenda change to keep people safe in our communities and provide incentives for people to get a good-paying job, grow their families here, find a home and then stay and retire in the Empire State. Let’s resolve to do that this year,” said Senator Jim Tedisco, SD 44th.

“We’re not here to stand by and watch the Empire state of decline. The Republican Senate has a plan that will restore hope in a future that truly is Excelsior,” said Senator Mark Walczyk, SD 49th. 

“This positive, results focused agenda directly addresses the concerns the voters voiced to me throughout the 2022 campaign. Our state is standing on a precipice. The decisions made by the legislature this session will be instrumental in the residents of the 38th Senate district determining if they can afford a future in New York. I strongly support this agenda for my family and the families of the 38th Senate district,” said Senator Bill Weber, SD 38th.

“With our highways clogged by the U-Hauls of thousands of families fleeing to other states every day, New Yorkers are rejecting the failed leadership of Governor Hochul and the regime that currently controls the Senate.  Throughout the 2023 Legislative Session I am proud that the Leader Ortt and the Senate Republican Conference will present common-sense alternatives so that our constituents can be confident in a safer, freer, and more affordable future in New York State,” said Senator Alexis Weik, SD 8th.

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