Albany politics once again are getting in the way of measures aimed at ensuring a safer learning environment for students and educators, as well as efforts to provide greater protections for crime victims and their families. During committee work [the week of May 6-10] in the Assembly, Republican proposals were blocked from advancing to the […]
Albany politics once again are getting in the way of measures aimed at ensuring a safer learning environment for students and educators, as well as efforts to provide greater protections for crime victims and their families. During committee work [the week of May 6-10] in the Assembly, Republican proposals were blocked from advancing to the floor for a vote. We are only a few weeks removed from enacting a new record-high state spending plan that failed to address most New Yorkers’ biggest concerns — affordability and public safety. Last month, Democrats wholly rejected Assembly Republican efforts to target quality-of-life issues in this state. [And now], Democrats again maintained the status quo by refusing to allow more than 30 Republican-sponsored bills — many aimed at tackling the issues most important to New York’s families while also ignoring much-needed efforts to improve government waste and dysfunction — from making it to the floor for a vote. These measures included efforts to hold more criminals accountable and empower crime victims and their families as New Yorkers seek corrective action in the wake of the 2019 bail-reform laws that have led to increased violence and crime in our communities. While some in Albany favor catering to a pro-criminal ideology, we will continue to place the priority on law-abiding citizens and our partners in law enforcement. It’s time to start restoring order in this state. In the past year, Assembly Republicans have introduced numerous recommendations following the Task Force on School Safety & Security to improve the level of school safety across the state. As disruptions, unrest, and violence permeate in educational institutions in New York state, the commitment to the protection and well-being of our students, educators, and school staff should be of the utmost importance. Following these questionable policy decisions and other worrisome actions from Albany, New Yorkers’ confidence in state government is, in many respects, rightfully low. Seeking to lift the veil of secrecy from a government that is supposed to work for the people should hardly be considered controversial. Yet, our conference’s efforts to champion government reform to increase not only transparency and accountability but efficiency as well, have been stonewalled. Assembly Democrats even blocked a measure supported by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense that would benefit military families and the state’s health-care system. The legislation is outlined as part of the Military Community and Family Policy’s top 10 priorities for states to consider for the quality of life for service members and their families. Sadly, the departure from common sense in New York is an all-too-familiar tale. The Assembly Republican Conference will continue to advance an agenda focused on reversing the destructive policy decisions of one-party rule in Albany. The future of our state is in the balance.
William (Will) A. Barclay, 55, Republican, is the New York Assembly minority leader and represents the 120th New York Assembly District, which encompasses all of Oswego County, as well as parts of Jefferson and Cayuga counties.