NEW YORK HAS NEVER BEEN A STATE TO BACK DOWN
When others seek to divide, we stand united and tall. We do not just endure challenges; we meet them head-on and lead the way for the nation.
There is no question that we are entering a year defined by enormous challenges. With the incoming administration in Washington, uncertainty hangs heavy in the air.
But let me be clear—New York has never been a state to back down. When others seek to divide, we stand united and tall. We do not just endure challenges; we meet them head-on and lead the way for the nation.
This year, we have a vital legislative window to address our residents’ real struggles, and continue being a beacon of hope, progress, and resilience for the entire country.
Amid mixed national election results this past November, we in this chamber were sent back with the people’s mandate to continue the transformative work we set out to do since 2019.
Since 2019, we’ve delivered transformative change, always focused on helping everyday New Yorkers. From fully funding public schools, to passing much-needed voting reforms like early voting. We’ve taken bold steps to protect our environment, expand opportunities for affordable higher education, safeguard Medicaid, and fortify reproductive freedoms through shield laws and a strong Equal Rights Amendment. We’ve also stood firmly in support of municipalities, safety-net hospitals, and essential services across the state.
We have always kept our focus on affordability. While we’ve made great strides by expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit, capping property taxes, raising the minimum wage, and securing and expanding paid family leave—families are still feeling the pinch. We know the challenges ahead require maintaining and strengthening our resolve to make New York more affordable.
As New York’s Senate Majority, we’re in our communities, taking action on the things that matter most. Our constituents know us because they see us fighting for them. And after over half a decade of showing up, doing the work, and delivering results, they know we will meet the moment.
And we are not a one-and-done Conference. Although Senate Democrats have been the architects of New York’s boldest policies, there is much more to be done.
One of the challenges to working families and our local economies is the uncertainty in Washington. When federal funding is threatened, everyone is hurt and the most vulnerable are hit hardest. But here in New York, we’ve repeatedly proven that we can—and will—step up to protect our residents.
That means building on the progress we’ve made:
Expanding universal pre-kindergarten and taking it one step further by moving towards universal childcare, because working parents deserve affordable, high-quality care for their children.
Continuing to fully fund our public schools, ensuring that every child, no matter their zip code, has the tools they need to succeed.
And cutting the cost of everyday essentials by continuing to fight for meaningful prescription drug reforms that reduces prices for consumers. No New Yorker should put off medical care due to worry about the cost.
Furthermore, as New Yorkers grapple with their utility bills, we will double down on efforts to lower the cost of energy, and protect ratepayers from price gouging. All this, while continuing to tackle exorbitant costs at the register for food and clothing. We will continue to stand up for our farmers, because they are a critical piece of our fight for affordable food. We all know, if there are no farms there is no food.
We are building upon our efforts to address New York’s housing crisis by protecting tenants, and making bold investments in affordable, working-class, and middle-income housing, to ensure every New Yorker has a place to call home. And, we will continue to fight for policies that make it easier for first-time home buyers to get their foot in the door. We will support our existing programs that help keep people in their homes amid financial setbacks, and advance policies that keep the cost of living down for seniors, veterans, and others on a fixed income.
We will also redouble our efforts to make higher education more affordable, because the path to the middle class begins with opportunities that are accessible to all.
As the birthplace of the American Labor Movement, we know that unions are one of the surest paths to the middle class. We will continue to advance robust labor protections and benefits to expand our workforce from the ground up. We will remain a safe haven, where the right to organize and collectively bargain is not only recognized but encouraged. And we will once again champion improvements to worker benefits like temporary disability insurance while continuing to advance measures that make it easier to join our public workforce.
By the same token, our conference has proudly fought for Main Street by injecting billions of dollars into small businesses and cultural institutions. This year, we will recommit our efforts to these economic drivers to ensure that the cost of doing business in New York doesn’t shutter our mom and pops.
Tackling the affordability crisis and getting New Yorkers back on track must be our top priority. But we can’t ease up on the fight for our most basic freedoms. We will continue to protect the rights of all New Yorkers and will once again look to bolster reproductive health freedoms. For decades we were told that Roe v Wade was the law of the land, and would never change, well, we all know that was a false promise.
This year is the eve of the 250th Anniversary of our great nation, and New York played a crucial role in the birth of our great Democracy. All of us in this chamber are tasked with protecting that Democracy.
That’s why we will be charging ahead at the top of this session with a renewed voting rights package.
We cannot ignore the weight of this moment. The forces of extremism are working harder than ever to sow division and discord. But here in New York, we will rise above the chaos. We will chart a course grounded in equity, fairness, and opportunity for all.
This is our chance—our responsibility—to lead not just for today but for future generations. Together, we will meet the challenges of this moment and show the nation what true leadership looks like.
Thank you for standing with us, believing in what we can accomplish together, and your unwavering dedication to building an affordable, fairer, and stronger New York.
Andrea Stewart-Cousins holds the positions of President Pro Tempore and Majority Leader of the New York State Senate, and she is the Senator for the 35th District. As the longest-serving Democratic Majority Leader in New York State Senate history, and the first woman and African American woman to occupy this role, her tenure is distinguished by significant legislative achievements and a steadfast commitment to addressing the needs of New Yorkers.
