MY STANCE ON IMPORTANT ISSUES

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Being a part of a blended family with six children, each with unique learning styles and different abilities, I know that a one-size-fits-all approach to education just doesn’t work. In that same vein, I know that college is not for everyone, and strongly support alternative pathways after graduation. As the former Ranking Member on the Assembly Education Committee, I have fought to bring back local control of our schools, empower parents to advocate for their children, and support our teachers by advocating for critical education and library funding. 

Protecting the environment is important but the costs and unrealistic mandates associated with the 2022 “Climate Leadership and Protection Act” (CLCPA) are not the way to go. I have been opposed to the CLCPA since the start and have pushed for reversals and reforms. I have been an outspoken leader in the fight against the electric school bus transition which would blow school budgets, the gas stove ban and more. New Yorkers are capable of making the right decisions for their homes, and I believe energy should not be a mandate, but a choice, made best for you and your wallet. 

Here in upstate New York, there are many traditions and values that we hold dear. We believe in strong families, strong communities, and our constitutional freedoms. First and foremost, as your assemblywoman, I will stand up against progressive downstate politicians. This includes protecting and restoring our Second Amendment rights.

New York State continues to reel from the damage inflicted by the slew of criminal-friendly reforms pushed through by the Democrat Majorities since 2019. Every day we see the release and re-release of dangerous criminals back onto our streets with no bail or historically low bail, while shootings and murders continue to soar in our cities throughout the state. These reforms have constrained judges, undermined the ability of law enforcement to maintain law and order, disregarded the safety of victims and witnesses, and discouraged the reporting of crimes -- further emboldening criminals and threatening public safety.  I support our law enforcement, and am advocating to restore the discretion of judges and empower them to keep dangerous, repeat criminals in jail in order to protect all New Yorkers. 

It seems that New York State continues to be a leader — in all the wrong categories.  New York leads the country in outmigration.  Between 2020 and 2023, New York lost 630,000 residents to other states.  Former Gov. Cuomo blamed the weather for this exodus, but in reality, the majority of those leaving the state went to Florida, New Jersey, and Connecticut: not exactly all balmy climates!

As a parent, I want my kids to stay in New York.  If we are to do that, we need to ensure that we have good paying jobs and housing that is affordable.  With New York’s business climate ranked as worst in the nation, getting our kids to stay is an uphill climb.  However, I sponsor A.5125, A.4733, and A.8417, three bills among many that will help improve our business climate and will entice more of our residents to stay.  My support for business has earned me the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) every  year since 2018.

Middle-class families are the backbone of our communities, state and economy, but they have been facing big financial burdens. I will stand up for families by fighting for property tax relief. I already have a great record with families; I kept the Town of Ballston free of a town tax the entire eight years I served as Councilwoman. I spoke out against providing free college for illegal immigrants and will always stand up for families by pushing for more college financial aid for middle-class students.

Since 2016, the state budget has increased $85 billion dollars, and as the budget increases, NY’s population is decreasing. I can appreciate that there were additional expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic, but now, years afterward, spending has only continued to increase.  I have been vocal about my opposition to the extreme growth of the budget, have opposed new taxes, and support fiscal restraint. Budgetary increases are a burden on hard working New Yorkers, and I’m working to reduce the stress on your wallets, to keep our kids, and parents in the state.

Our region’s economy is diverse; it includes mom-and-pop shops on Main Street, small locally-built manufacturers and many family-owned farms. We’re highly connected with both transportation and communications infrastructure. There are so many advantages to our region, but job creators are still hampered by burdensome regulations and taxes. We can turn around New York’s business climate and make our state an attractive place to start a business and grow jobs.  As your assemblywoman, I have spoken out against irresponsible spending that impacts the way of life for Upstate residents, families and small business owners. 

 As a family court attorney and current member of the Assembly’s Mental Health Committee, promoting the well-being of our region’s special needs community has always been one of my top priorities. It is an honor to work with community partners to bring the ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative to the 112th Assembly District in order to create a more inclusive environment for individuals of all abilities. I’m fully aware that lifestyles for families with special needs children look different, that’s why I crafted legislation, which was signed into law in 2021, to provide financial support for adult children with disabilities. 

New York State government has been shaken by scandal after scandal. New Yorkers are tired of it, and so am I. During my first month of being in the Assembly I voted in favor of stripping a publicly funded pension from any official who is convicted of a felony involving breach of public trust. In the years following I have continued to fight for some of the strictest ethics reforms in the nation, as well as for proposals that impose term limits for positions of leadership in order to dilute unfettered and concentrated power. 

If you have any further questions on my stance or voting record, contact me here.