Senator Stephen Chan Leads Fight for Public Safety and Affordability with 'Liberate New York' Agenda

For Immediate Release January 15, 2025

Albany, NY – Newly elected New York State Senator Stephen T. Chan, a former NYPD sergeant and U.S. Marine, joined members of the minority party today to unveil their “Liberate New York” agenda. This bold initiative aims to restore public safety, improve affordability, and ensure election integrity following years of failed one-party rule.

“I'm talking to the neighbors, neighbors of all descent, neighbors, old Italians, Chinese people, Hispanics, Eastern Europeans. We talk, and all I'm doing is bringing their voice to Albany. The same conversation that we would have in the streets about crime...” said Senator Chan. “We've seen what it's like to be able to walk around two o'clock in the morning, to take the train at three o'clock in the morning without being disturbed, without feeling being in danger. We brought that conversation to Albany.”

A New York Where People Want to Stay, Not Leave

Senator Chan and his colleagues are determined to reverse the damage done by far-left policies, which have driven a mass exodus of New Yorkers and made the state less safe and less affordable. The “Liberate New York” agenda will among many things:

1. PRIORITIZE PUBLIC SAFETY

• Tougher Crime Laws: Senator Chan is leading the charge to overhaul bail reform, strengthen penalties for repeat offenders, and crack down on illegal street bikes and subway attacks.
• Ending Sanctuary Policies: Chan has been vocal about stopping sanctuary city protections that allow dangerous criminals to remain in New York illegally.
• Support for Law Enforcement: The minority party will push for greater resources for NYPD and first responders to restore law and order.

“Every day, we read about people getting stabbed, getting pushed into the subway tracks, getting burned, getting run over with no recourse,” said Senator Chan. 

2. PROVIDE AFFORDABILITY AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY

• Cutting Taxes & Reducing Costs: The minority party will work to lower the middle-class tax burden, roll back costly unfunded mandates, and eliminate regulations strangling small businesses.
• Affordable Housing & Energy: Plans include a pro-housing package and a pause on extreme mandates requiring all-electric homes and school buses.
• Fighting Congestion Pricing: Chan and his colleagues oppose the $9 congestion pricing fee, which unfairly targets working-class commuters.

“New Yorkers shouldn’t have to choose between putting food on the table or paying rent,” Senator Chan added. “We’re here to stop the policies that are crushing the middle class and businesses.”

3. PROTECTING ELECTION INTEGRITY

• Voter ID Laws: The conference is pushing for mandatory voter ID laws to prevent fraud and restore confidence in New York’s elections.
• Preventing Non-Citizen Voting: With over 200,000 undocumented migrants in the state, the minority party is fighting to ensure only U.S. citizens vote.

“New Yorkers deserve fair and secure elections,” Senator Chan stated. “If we need ID to buy alcohol or drive, we should need ID to vote.”

In addition, Senator Chan and his colleagues also call to protect students, defend parental rights, and call for government accountability.

A Growing Movement

The conference celebrated significant gains, including Senator Stephen Chan’s historic victory in Brooklyn, which ended a supermajority in the Senate.

“Senator Chan obviously was the vote that broke [the] super-majority here in the New York State Senate,” added Leader Ortt. “I'm very proud of the members who are behind me. I'm very proud to go into battle to go to do the work of the people of New York with these members who are behind me. And I'm proud to serve as their conference leader.”

Looking Ahead

With President Trump’s administration, the Senate minority party is eager to collaborate on policies that will make New York more energy-independent, economically competitive, and crime-free.

“We're very excited not only for our agenda but obviously to work with President Trump's administration coming up starting next week," said Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt.

You can read more about this issue here: 
https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025/senate-republicans-announce-liberate-new-york-2025-legislative-agenda

You can watch the full press conference on YouTube here:

https://youtu.be/ghzMpsH5MEA?si=o7OSClO4avQifEcL