Member Spotlight

Senator Leroy Comrie

Senator Leroy Comrie joins us to discuss his district, legislative achievements, and some of his priorities for this year. Before being elected to the Senate, he served his community as a public servant in the NYC Council, where he held the title of Deputy Majority Leader and the Chairman of the Queens Delegation. Currently, he serves as the Chair of Corporations, Authorities & Commissions and as a member of various committees, including on Finance, Rules, and Budget & Revenue.

What district do you represent?
I represent the communities of Laurelton, Cambria Heights, Queens Village, St. Albans, Hollis, Jamaica, Downtown Jamaica, a little bit of Richmond Hill, Kew Gardens Hills, and a portion of Kew Gardens.

What are some of the landmarks in your district?
We have quite a few. The AirTrain to JFK runs through the district. We’re home to the Queens Central Library, which is a major resource for our borough. We also have historic churches like Allen AME and Calvary Baptist Church, which have been pillars of the community for many years.

We touch Main Street in Kew Gardens Hills, and while we’re no longer directly in St. John’s University, we border it. Downtown Jamaica is a major shopping and commercial hub. We’re also home to the historic Montefiore Cemetery, including the resting place of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. So, there’s a rich cultural and historical presence throughout the district.

What kind of music do you enjoy? Favorite artists or genres?
I tend to listen to a little bit of everything. I really like Tony! Toni! Toné!, even though they’re no longer together. I enjoy Michael Bublé, and of course the Motown classics.

I’m also into jazz — artists like Marcus Miller, David Sanborn, and Chick Corea have been influences for me. And I’ll admit, I like a little country too — Jelly Roll, and some of the artists you see on shows like The Voice. My taste is pretty broad.

Favorite New York sports team?
I’m a long-suffering Mets fan.

What was your profession before being elected to the Senate?
I served as a New York City Council Member before being elected to the Senate.

You currently chair the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions. What are your priorities this year?
Transparency and accountability are key. I want to ensure that the major agencies under my committee’s jurisdiction are transparent about how they spend money and how procurement decisions are made. The public deserves to know how taxpayer dollars are being used.

What issues are specific to your district right now?
Foreclosure is a major issue. We’re working to help seniors stay in their homes and avoid being underwater on their mortgages. Protecting long-time homeowners is critical.

We’re also focused on helping small businesses access loans and opportunities for growth and creating more job opportunities locally. For our young people, we need more structured recreational activities, so they’re engaged in healthy, productive environments.

What legislative achievements are you most proud of?
There are several. I worked on design-build procurement reforms and election reform efforts, including a statewide referendum attempt to modernize parts of our election system.

I’ve been heavily involved with MTA oversight and major infrastructure projects, including helping move forward the Long Island Rail Road station connected to the UBS Arena — the first new LIRR station built in decades. I’m proud of the role I played in making the UBS Arena project happen.

On a local level, I worked to address inappropriate billboard advertising along major roadways after a concerned parent brought the issue to my attention.

This year, we passed two major bills. One was the Fair Business Practices Act, which we worked on for six years alongside the Attorney General. It gives small businesses the ability to take legal action against companies that engage in unfair or deceptive practices.

The second was expanded property tax relief for senior citizens, allowing municipalities to provide up to a 65% tax break. The governor signed it, and now we need to ensure municipalities fully implement it. That relief will be significant for seniors.

Last year, I passed 16 bills, with 11 signed into law by the governor.

What advice would you give a high school or college student who wants to get involved in politics?
Come intern with us. Spend time learning how government actually works. Many young people have never had a real workplace experience, and internships provide that foundation.

I’m proud that former interns from my office have gone on to become chiefs of staff and leaders in other offices. We’ve always tried to motivate and encourage young people to get involved in government and to stay connected to their community after they succeed.

Any final comments?
I’m excited about the future. While I have concerns about national leadership and the tone coming out of Washington, I have full confidence in the ability of New Yorkers — especially the residents of my district — to overcome challenges and meet critical needs.

I’m proud to represent one of the most intelligent and engaged minority districts in the country. I’m honored that they’ve put their faith in me, and I look forward to continuing to serve as I run for reelection this year.

Are you a public official or staffer that would like to be featured in our spotlight? If so, reach out to your favorite D&A team member or contact us at team@dickinsonavella.com to set up an interview!

Aung Hset/D&A

Legislature to Propose Increased Taxes in One-House Budget Proposals

With the Assembly and Senate expected to release their respective One-House budget proposals next week, it was reported that the leaders of the Legislature will include proposals to raise income tax rates for high earners. While Hochul has reiterated her position against raising taxes, the Legislature has consistently included higher tax proposals in its respective One-House budgets for several years.

The expected proposals also come as NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani has urged the Legislature and Hochul to raise taxes on higher earners, or said he will be forced to increase property taxes, which have drawn public opposition from various state and city lawmakers. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins previously explained that raising NYC’s property taxes would result in higher taxes for middle- and working-class families. “We’ve always been very clear that we’re not trying to raise taxes on working-class families,” Stewart-Cousins said last week. This week, she further explained that “In general, we have always believed in this progressive tax structure,” and that “I think I’ve said repeatedly, that we are certainly trying to meet the moment, and revenue raisers would certainly be part of our package.”

While it is not clear whether Hochul would ultimately agree to increasing taxes, Stewart-Cousins previously said she likes "to think there’s a path forward” necessitated due to less federal aid to the state. “I’ve got a federal government that’s taking billions of dollars away from us in various areas. “So, I think we have to look at the entire picture and figure out how we could move forward together progressively,” explained Stewart-Cousins. Additionally, there is a push by lawmakers to increase taxes on corporations, which Hochul has not commented on, compared to the proposal to increase taxes on high earners. It is also unclear whether the Senate and the Assembly will include a proposal to increase taxes on corporations in their respective One-Houses. Lawmakers are expected to approve their One-House proposals on Thursday next week.

Susan Watts/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

EXECUTIVE UPDATES

On Monday, Hochul convened a roundtable with business leaders and farmers to discuss the current impacts of the federal tariffs and urged the Trump Administration to issue a $13.5 billion refund following a recent SCOTUS ruling. The roundtable comes as Hochul joined lawmakers throughout the state and the country in criticizing the tariffs and builds on her Executive Budget proposal for $30 million in tariff relief for impacted farmers. “Our small business owners and farmers are the backbone of New York’s economy, and they’ve shouldered the burden of the Trump administration’s reckless and illegal tariffs,” remarked Hochul.

Earlier this week, Hochul touted that the state DMV helped recover more than 348 stolen vehicles, worth more than $10.4 million. In total, it is estimated that consumers saved more than $13.6 million on stolen vehicles, titles, parts, and services during 2025, up from $11 million in 2024. This comes as the state has been prioritizing addressing car theft and supports Hochul’s Executive Budget proposals to address high auto insurance through tackling fraud and staged accidents. “Most auto repair shops and dealers in our state do excellent work, but when fraud or theft takes place, the state government will do everything in its power to make things right,” explained Hochul.

Joined by NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Hochul announced the launch of a free childcare program for 2-year-olds in NYC. The 2-Care program is expected to begin in the Fall with 2,000 available seats throughout the communities of Washington Heights/Inwood, Fordham/Kingsbridge, East Brooklyn, and Ozone Park/Rockaways. The rollout is expected to continue throughout the city and state, with the state already investing over $8 billion in childcare infrastructure and Hochul proposing to invest an additional $4.5 billion in her Executive Budget. “As New York’s first mom Governor, achieving affordable, universal child care has been a key priority for my administration, and we are doing the work to see it through,” explained Hochul.

Earlier this week, Hochul touted the state’s commitment to providing free school meals across the state, noting that it had passed the milestone of 275 million free school meals in the first six months of the academic year. As part of last year’s Enacted Budget, $340 million was included to assist schools in providing free school meals. With more than 275 million free school meals being served, it is estimated that more than $450 million was saved for families throughout the state. The free school meal initiative was championed by Hochul alongside a group of bipartisan lawmakers, with last year’s investment expected to serve an additional 280,000 students. “Students do better in the classroom when they’re not worried about where their next meal is coming from,” Hochul explained.

On Wednesday, Hochul touted the state’s leading role in data governance and protection for children, citing the state's top spot in a report. In the first-of-its-kind ranking, the report recognizes the state’s efforts in online safety, including the enactment of the SAFE for Kids Act, the Child Data Protection Act, the social media label law, distraction-free classrooms, and safeguards for AI companions. “These pioneering policies ensure our kids are shielded from predators, scammers, and harmful algorithms, setting a gold standard other states can follow,” explained Hochul.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Next week, the Legislature is scheduled to be in session Monday to Thursday

The Legislature is expected to release their respective One House Budget proposals next week

Senate Passes Vaccine Legislative Package

This week, the Senate passed a legislative package to protect access to vaccinations and safeguard medical professionals who administer the vaccinations. “This legislative package reaffirms our commitment to public health and strengthens our healthcare system by standing with the medical professionals who keep New Yorkers safe and healthy every day,” explained Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. “It’s an incredibly important time for New York to set clear guidelines and standards to calm the public and explain to the public what the science around vaccinations is and what is the appropriate vaccination schedule for both you and your children,” Senator Andrew Gournades explained on the importance of the package. Some of the bills in the package are:

Lawmakers Still Plan to Move Forward with Redistricting After Recent SCOTUS Ruling

On Monday evening, the US Supreme Court ruled in an unprecedented decision to block the redistricting of Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn-based Nichole Malliotakis’ congressional seat. The decision comes after the state Court of Appeals rejected the state GOP’s request to expedite the case, following a trial court judge's ruling ordering the Independent Redistricting Commission to draw a new map. However, even before the state Court of Appeals decided on a ruling, the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of the GOP, with Justice Alito explaining that the Supreme Court has jurisdiction because the state Court of Appeals declined to hear an immediate appeal, which was dissented by Justice Sotomayor, explaining it as unprecedented in Supreme Court history.

Additionally, Alito called the initial order to redraw Malliotakis’ seat as “odious” due to federal restrictions on race-based redistricting. However, Democratic lawmakers still plan to move forward with redistricting, with the Assembly sponsor of the current mid-decade redistricting constitutional amendment, Micah Lasher, explaining, “The need to do so is underscored by the decision.” Senate sponsor Mike Gianaris also agreed and said that the Legislature will focus on redistricting after budget negotiations

Democratic Lawmakers Reiterate Their Opposition to Possible Rollbacks to the CLCPA

Amidst Hochul’s openness to include changes to the state’s CLCPA mandates in the budget negotiations after NYSERDA’s memo on the cost of the CLCPA, the leaders of the Legislature reiterated their opposition to overhauling the CLCPA. However, Stewart-Cousins explained that due to the lack of details from Hochul, the Senate has not been able to discuss possible tweaks that they may be open to. “I just want to know what the proposal is. At this point, I don’t know what there is to discuss,” remarked Stewart-Cousins.

While Hochul did not propose any changes in her 30-day Executive Budget amendment, Hochul’s communication director said that she is looking “forward to continuing those discussions with the Legislature during the budget negotiations.” However, many lawmakers, including Senate Environmental Chair Pete Harckham, have been criticizing Hochul, with him remarking on the Senate floor, “We keep hearing about this so-called NYSERDA memo, which I would characterize as Governor Hochul's ‘the Iraqis have weapons of mass destruction’ moment.” Additionally, a group of 29 Senators led by Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger sent a letter to Hochul opposing any “effort to roll back” the CLCPA.

Republican Lawmakers Urge Rollback of the CLCPA

Amid Hochul’s push to include changes to the state’s CLCPA mandates, the Senate Republican Conference highlighted the recent NYSERDA memo that criticized the state's environmental mandates and urged the Legislature to repeal the ongoing implementation of the Cap-and-Invest program. “This conference has called for transparency and accounting of the true costs of the CLCPA for years. Now, thanks to a memo from NYSERDA, we finally know what we’ve been saying all along – New Yorkers simply cannot afford the Democrats’ green energy mandates,” explained Senate Republican Leader Robb Ortt. Assembly Republican Leader Rob Ortt also agreed and urge the Legislature to “immediately move away from illogical and unrealistic mandates that simply do not match current market capacity.”

Lawmakers Urge to Establish a New Office of Chief Medical Examiner in the Final Budget

To ensure accountability at state prisons on the causes of inmate deaths, Senate Crime Victims, Crime & Correction Chair Julia Salazar and Assembly Correction Chair Erik Dilan are urging the leaders of the Legislature to establish a new Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in this year’s Final Budget. Under the proposal, the new office would be independent from the existing state DOCCS and authorized to perform autopsies of incarcerated people. Lawmakers and advocates explained that the new office would help reduce unexplained deaths in state prisons and increase accountability. “This will ensure [that] if someone dies in a correctional facility, the coroner will indeed have the necessary medical background,” explained Dilan.

Federal DOJ Reportedly to Sue Hochul Over CDPAP Transition

Amid criticisms of the Hochul Administration’s CDPAP transition to a single fiscal fiduciary, it was reported that the federal DOJ is set to file a lawsuit against Hochul and PPL, the single fiscal fiduciary. The suit reportedly builds on an investigation by Senators, including Senate Investigation Chair James Skoufis and Senate Health Chair Gustavo Rivera, into alleged collusion between the DOH and PPL. Additionally, it was reported that emails between the DOH and PPL employees were sent weeks before lawmakers approved soliciting bids for the single fiscal fiduciary contract. While Hochul explained that the possible lawsuit by the federal government is “just another list of areas where they’re using their power to go after blue states,” Skoufis explained, “We now know the Medicaid director was in detailed talks with PPL prior to the state’s request for proposals — the same Medicaid director who served as one of just three scorers for the bids.”

Legislature Working on Three-Way Agreement on Immigration Protection Legislative Package

After the death of a Burmese Rohingya refugee with a legal status after he was released from Erie County Holding Center to US Customs and Border Patrol agents and then subsequently dropped off outside of a closed coffee shop, lawmakers, including Senator Andrew Gournades, urge the passage of the New York for All Act. “There's no reason why any lever or any office in state or local government should be participating in these horrific actions,” explained Gournades, who is the sponsor of New York for All. This comes as a working group of Senators is currently discussing a legislative package that would increase protections for immigrant communities.

Additionally, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins confirmed earlier this week that the Senate has been working in conjunction with the Assembly on the package. Specifically, Stewart-Cousins explained that the Legislature is working on “trying to get something pretty close to New York for All.” Speaker Carl Heastie also added that “We’re trying to get to a three-way agreement.” Hochul also explained that she has been ready to work with the Legislature and that she is “anxious to get it done.”

Lawmakers Urge Additional State Funding to Help Refugee Assistance Organizations

Earlier this week, Senator Pat Fahy and Assemblymember Jon Rivera urged the leaders of the Legislature and Hochul to include a $15 million in the Final Budget, or an additional $1.5 million in funding from last year, to increase the size of a program that financially assists refugee services. Lawmakers explained that the additional funding is necessary, as the federal government has cut funding to various refugee assistance organizations. “It really keeps many of our refugee agencies, the doors are open -- especially now,” explained Fahy. “We believe that if we double down and invest in organizations doing this work, we are going to see the benefit,” explained Rivera.

OTHER UPDATES

Kevin P. Coughlin / Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

Federal Judge Blocks Trump' Efforts to Stop Congestion Pricing

Earlier this week, a federal court judge ruled against the Trump Administration’s effort to halt NYC’s Congestion Pricing Program with the judge explaining that ruling in favor of the Trump Administration would “permit any government agency to forever frustrate judicial review.” The ruling comes after a series of different legal challenges against Congestion Pricing by several parties, including New Jersey, with the Trump Administration attempting to terminate the federal approval of the program, which led to the MTA to sue the federal DOT. While the federal government argue that the termination was simply “tentative or interlocutory” the federal judge disagreed. “The judge's decision is clear: Donald Trump's unlawful attempts to trample on the self-governance of his home state have failed spectacularly,” Hochul remarked after the ruling.

Susan Watts/ Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

New York and 23 Other States Sue Trump Over Recent Global Tariffs

Yesterday, a coalition of 24 states, including New York, filed a lawsuit against the federal government, urging the US Court of International Trade to block President Trump’s new global 10% tariff. The new tariff comes after SCOTUS ruled that the previous tariffs were unconstitutional and a day after a federal judge ordered President Trump to begin refunding more than $130 billion in tariffs, as more than 2,000 companies filed lawsuits against the Trump Administration seeking refunds. Similarly, the recent lawsuit by the 24 states argues that the new global tariffs are unconstitutional and do not fit the specific criteria of Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act. “After the Supreme Court rejected his first attempt to impose sweeping tariffs, the president is causing more economic chaos and expecting Americans to foot the bill,” explained Attorney General Tish James.

D'Esposito Won't Confirm If He Will Run for Congress

After it was reported that Anthony D’Esposito is looking to run for his former congressional seat against Rep. Laura Gillen, D’Esposito refused to confirm during his testimony before a congressional Ways and Means workforce subcommittee. Appearing under oath as the federal Department of Labor Inspector General, D’Esposito explained that he is “well aware of the Hatch Act,” which bars most federal employees from holding office while running for an elected seat. If D’Esposito decides to run, he must resign from his role in the federal government to run again against Gillen, whom he lost to two years ago. While most Republicans view Gillen as vulnerable, she must first beat her primary challengers, including former Assemblymember Taylor Darling.

Friday Morning Brief March 6, 2026

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Friday Morning Brief March 6, 2026

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