Senator O’Mara, budget panel receives testimony from representatives of state law enforcement and firefighters

Albany, N.Y., January 25--The joint Senate-Assembly budget hearings wrapped up this week with a hearing on Governor Kathy Hochul’s public protection proposals in the 2024-25 Executive Budget.

State Senator Tom O’Mara, who serves as the Ranking Member on the Senate Finance Committee, sought testimony from one of the day’s final panels consisting of representatives of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York, Police Benevolent Association of NYS, Police Benevolent Association of NYC, the New York State Police Investigators Association, and the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association.

The panel addressed and highlighted numerous challenges facing law enforcement, firefighters, and all first responders throughout New York.

Senator O’Mara asked about the rising climate of violence within the state’s correctional facilities and its impact on the recruitment and retention of correctional officers, and on the rising concern for first responders from the dangers posed by the increasing number of fires started by high-voltage lithium-ion batteries used to power electric vehicles. Watch HERE.

The joint Senate-Assembly budget hearings continue next week.  See the full schedule HERE.