Green Party Slams Democrats for Lack of Legislative Action

Call for Key Issues like NY for All, NY Heat, and PRRIA To Pass in A Special Session

The Green Party of New York harshly criticized the democratic-controlled New York State Legislature – especially the Assembly – for adjourning for the year without taking action on many issues critical to the well-being of New Yorkers.

Key issues that the legislature failed to enact include New York for All (protect immigrants from ICE), NY Heat Act (only the 100-foot rule was repealed), Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (PRRIA), expansion of rent control upstate, various parole and criminal justice reforms, raising the welfare grant and minimum wage, higher taxes on the wealthy, ballot access reform, and the NY Health Act (single payer universal health care).

“It was inspiring that 5 million people took to the streets on June 14 to oppose Trump’s effort to impose authoritarian rule and further enrich the billionaire class. But we also need to be in the streets to oppose Democrats like Carl Heastie and Kathy Hochul who continue to put the wealth and desires of campaign donors ahead of the well-being of the average New Yorker,” said C. Sandy Przybylak, Green Party of New York Treasurer.

The Party said it was particularly dismayed by the weak effort by the Governor and lawmakers to respond to the escalating global warming crisis, as extreme weather continues to accelerate. The state is failing to meet the inadequate climate goals laid out in the CLCPA, with global warming already breaching the 1.5C target cap agreed to in Paris. Among Hochul's many sins on climate has been her stalling on carbon pricing (cap and invest), the promotion of false climate solutions (nuclear, hydrogen), the delay in converting the Capitol complex to 100% renewable energy, slow walking implementation on the Build Public Renewables Act, and an overall lack of leadership on renewable energy.

Hochul also delayed the state budget for more than a month with issues that had nothing to do with the state finances. This drastically cut the amount of time the leaders allocated to finish work on all other issues. The Governor also apparently cut a deal with President Trump to restart several natural gas pipeline projects in exchange for moving forward on the state’s long-delayed effort to develop offshore wind.

“It is unconscionable that state lawmakers have refused to help protect immigrants from kidnapping by ICE, even as they arrest not only hard-working New Yorkers but the New York City comptroller. Immigrants have been central to the well-being of New York throughout our history. The Green Party stands firmly with our neighbors and friends and demands that New York elected officials do everything possible to protect them,” added Peter LaVenia, Green Party of New York Co-Chair.

The Green Party called upon State lawmakers to take up New York for All, NY Heat, PRRIA and other key measures when they return to Albany to figure out how to close the budget gaps that will be created when Congress slashes funding to the state.

“One step is for Assembly members to start representing the people who elected them and demand a real role in the legislative process. It is long past time for them to dump Bronx party boss Heastie as Speaker if he continues his authoritarian rule over the Assembly, with many members not even able to speak to him about key issues. Heastie exemplifies the corruption that permeates the Democrat Party and legislative process. He has especially been horrible on environmental and climate issues,” added Gloria Mattera, Green Party of New York Co-Chair.

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